In a stunning display of resilience, Barcelona clinched a 5-4 victory against Benfica, securing their spot in the UEFA Champions League last 16. The match, held at Estadio da Luz, was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their fighting spirit.
Barcelona found themselves trailing 3-1 at halftime, courtesy of a hat-trick from Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis. Coach Hansi Flick faced scrutiny for his decision to field goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, whose errors contributed to Benfica's early lead.
However, the Catalans demonstrated their fighting spirit in the second half. Substitute Eric Garcia leveled the score with a commanding header from a Pedri cross, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The decisive moment came six minutes into stoppage time when Raphinha launched a swift counter-attack, delivering a powerful strike that left the Benfica crowd stunned and propelled Barcelona into the next round.
Raphinha's heroics were complemented by strategic plays from Barcelona's side, overcoming the initial setbacks and displaying tactical prowess under pressure. With this victory, Barcelona sits second with 18 points after seven games, eyeing a strong position as they approach the final first-phase fixtures.
Reflecting on the match, Raphinha shared, \"We knew it was going to be a difficult game. We didn't let ourselves get carried away when we were 3-1 down. It was a spectacular match for the spectators. Anyone could have won.\" Defender Garcia added, \"It was an incredible victory. The team didn't lose their heads throughout the game. It's important to qualify for the next round, we came with this objective in mind.\"
Looking ahead, Barcelona will host Atalanta in their final first-phase game next Wednesday, while Benfica aims to bounce back against Juventus.
Reference(s):
Late Raphinha strike earns Barca 5-4 win at Benfica and last-16 spot
cgtn.com
