Barcelona staged an extraordinary comeback at Estádio da Luz on Tuesday, rallying from 4-2 down to secure a dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. The thrilling win strengthens Barcelona’s bid for a Round of 16 spot while dealing a severe blow to Benfica’s qualification hopes.
Early Dominance by Benfica
Benfica made an electrifying start, with Fredrik Aursnes setting up Vangelis Pavlidis for the opener just two minutes in. Although Barcelona equalized shortly after through a Robert Lewandowski penalty, defensive errors proved costly for the visitors.
Pavlidis completed a first-half hat-trick as Barcelona’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny misjudged a clearance and later conceded another penalty after fouling Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Despite several chances, Barcelona ended the first half trailing 3-1.
Second-Half Drama
- Raphinha’s Fortuitous Goal: A routine Benfica clearance hit Raphinha and looped into the net, sparking hope for Barcelona at 4-3.
- Lewandowski Delivers Again: A second penalty, earned by Lamine Yamal, was calmly converted by Lewandowski to tie the game 4-4.
- Eric García’s Heroics: Deep into injury time, Eric García headed in a Pedri cross to put Barcelona ahead for the first time in the match.
Raphinha sealed the win with a counterattack goal moments later, leaving Benfica devastated.
What’s Next
- Barcelona’s Position: The win virtually guarantees Barcelona’s place in the knockout rounds as group leaders.
- Benfica’s Struggles: Benfica, now at risk of missing out on qualification, faces a must-win situation in their remaining group matches.
Barcelona’s unforgettable comeback not only showcased their resilience but also dealt a crushing blow to Benfica’s European ambitions.
