In a night of extraordinary drama at the Estadio da Luz, Barcelona edged past Benfica in a nine-goal Champions League spectacle, winning 5-4 with a last-minute strike from Raphinha. The victory preserved Barcelona’s flawless run in Europe this season and gave fans a game that will live long in the memory.
The match began at a breakneck pace, with Benfica surging ahead just two minutes in. Vangelis Pavlidis found the back of the net following an excellent cross from Alvaro Carreras. But Barcelona responded almost immediately when Tomas Araujo’s foul on Alejandro Balde earned them a penalty, which Robert Lewandowski calmly converted to level the score at 1-1.
However, the visitors soon found themselves in chaos. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s reckless decision-making led to Benfica regaining the lead. Szczesny misjudged a ball over the top, colliding with his teammate Balde and leaving Pavlidis with an empty net to secure his brace. Minutes later, Szczesny conceded a penalty after fouling Kerem Akturkoglu, allowing Pavlidis to complete his hat-trick and extend Benfica’s advantage to 3-1 by halftime.
Second-Half Comeback
Barcelona came out stronger in the second half, determined to reduce the deficit. Their second goal arrived in bizarre fashion when Anatolii Turbin’s attempted clearance rebounded off Raphinha’s face and into the net, making it 3-2. Yet, Benfica struck again as Ronald Araujo inadvertently turned a cross into his own goal, restoring the hosts’ two-goal cushion.
Despite the setbacks, Hansi Flick’s side refused to give up. Another penalty, this time won by Lamine Yamal, allowed Lewandowski to convert his second of the night, narrowing the score to 4-3 with just 15 minutes left. Substitute Eric Garcia then equalized with a header, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
Raphinha’s Moment of Brilliance
In the dying moments, Raphinha emerged as the hero. After a denied penalty at the other end left Benfica exposed defensively, the Brazilian winger broke free, cut inside, and delivered a precise finish to secure Barcelona’s sensational 5-4 victory.
Player Ratings
Wojciech Szczesny (3/10): Responsible for two costly mistakes but redeemed himself with a crucial late save.
Jules Kounde (5/10): Struggled against Benfica’s relentless attacks, often caught out by their high press.
Ronald Araujo (6/10): Solid in parts but tarnished by an own goal that could have proven decisive.
Pau Cubarsi (5/10): Failed to prevent the opening goal, setting the tone for a chaotic defensive display.
Alejandro Balde (6/10): Won a crucial penalty but was often caught out of position and involved in defensive mix-ups.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s resilience and attacking brilliance overcame their defensive frailties in one of the most entertaining matches of the Champions League season. While their backline will require significant improvement, the team’s spirit and determination to fight back from adversity showcased their potential as genuine contenders for European glory.
