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In a thrilling match on Tuesday, Barcelona overcame a deficit to defeat Benfica 5–4 and all but guarantee automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16. Raphinha scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time.
Barcelona’s Comeback Over Liverpool
With less than fifteen minutes left, Benfica had a 4-2 lead, but Barcelona pulled off a spectacular comeback to trail leaders Liverpool by three points.
Barcelona’s Victory in Lisbon
Wojciech Szczesny, the goalkeeper for Barcelona, made two crucial mistakes that contributed to Vangelis Pavlidis’ hat-trick for the home team in the first half.
But Eric Garcia’s header, a brace for Raphinha, and a double from Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot gave Barcelona a thrilling victory in Lisbon at the last minute.
Raphinha’s Game Predictions
“We knew how hard it would be here, in front of their fans, and they know how to play really well, they have top level players,” Raphinha stated to Movistar.
“Despite falling behind 3-1, we didn’t allow it get to us because we were focused on what we needed to do to try to turn the tide of the match.
“Everyone thought the game was amazing. We could have won, or they could have, but we prevailed.
Benfica’s Second-Quarterfinal Score
After evading Pau Cubarsi and scoring from a low cross by Alvaro Carreras, Benfica took the lead in the second minute.
After Benfica defender Tomas Araujo pulled down Alejandro Balde, Barcelona quickly reacted with a penalty kick from Lewandowski.
Szczesny sprinted out of his goal to attempt and cut out a through-ball, but he crashed into Balde, giving the home team a fortunate lead again.
Pavlidis, a Greece international, gathered the loose ball with joy and rolled his second into the empty net.
After luring Szczesny out of retirement in October to take Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s place due to injury, Barcelona quickly fell farther behind.
Another Szczesny error allowed Pavlidis to complete his half-hour hat-trick with a penalty, and the goalie flew in to try to knock down Kerem Akturkoglu but was brought down instead.
Barcelona fights back
Barcelona surged forward before halftime, but both Raphinha and Lamine Yamal squandered fantastic chances.
Lewandowski was unable to turn home Pedri’s risky ball across the face of goal, and Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin stopped Jules Kounde from scoring.
Trubin’s clearing hit Raphinha’s head on the edge of the area and sent it flying back into the net, giving Barcelona a strange comeback.
But Benfica quickly scored again when Ronald Araujo attempted to cut out a cross and nudged past Szczesny into his own net.
After Nicolas Otamendi took down Yamal, Barcelona continued to press, and Lewandowski scored another penalty.
Garcia, a replacement, headed home from Pedri’s inviting cross to tie the score for the Catalan powerhouses, who last won the Champions League in 2015.
Prior to Raphinha’s thrilling winner, Szczesny stopped a low shot from former Real Madrid player Angel Di Maria.
Barcelona launched a swift breakaway after Benfica called for a penalty, and the Brazilian winger tapped home to end an exciting match.
After the exciting conclusion, tensions erupted, and players from both teams clashed after the final whistle.
“To go behind in the second minute… spoils your plans,” Garcia remarked.
“The team showed an incredible mentality.”
