Manchester City scraped through to the Champions League last 16 after a night of high drama, relying on a favor from an old foe. Despite securing a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, their fate rested on the outcome of Benfica's match against Real Madrid.

City's win against Galatasaray, with goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, was not enough to guarantee them a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase. Jeremy Doku set up both goals before being forced off injured. They needed other results to go their way to avoid the play-off round.

As the final whistle blew in Manchester, attention turned to Lisbon, where Benfica, managed by Jose Mourinho, were locked in a tense battle with Real Madrid. Benfica needed a win to keep their own Champions League hopes alive, while a Real Madrid victory or draw would have sent them directly to the round of 16 and pushed Man City into the play-off round.

In a stunning turn of events, Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a header in stoppage time. This result sent shockwaves through the Etihad Stadium, as it meant City had clinched a spot in the top eight and avoided the dreaded play-off round.

Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola expressed his gratitude to his long-time rival, Jose Mourinho. "Of course," Guardiola said when asked if he would send Mourinho a message of thanks. Guardiola and his players were watching the final moments of the Benfica game in the dressing room. "We were all there," Guardiola said. "We didn't know that Benfica needed a goal to qualify. With the goalkeeper we said, 'why you go? Stay in the goal because Madrid can equalize!' After that, we are out. But it was a good strategy for Jose, right? To score the fourth goal".

The victory means that City avoids the two-legged play-off round in February, a stage where they faltered last season. "There are a lot of things to improve but we are really pleased to finish top eight, considering how (tough) the Champions League has become," Guardiola stated.

City finished eighth in the 36-team league phase with 16 points, earning them a home game in the second leg of the round of 16. Their potential opponents in the next round are Benfica, Bodo/Glimt, Inter Milan, or Real Madrid. The draw to determine the pairings will take place on Friday, February 27th.

This unexpected twist adds another chapter to the storied rivalry between Guardiola and Mourinho. While their teams haven't faced each other in the Champions League this season, Mourinho's Benfica indirectly played a crucial role in City's journey in the competition.