Barcelona extended their fine Champions League run with a stunning 5-4 victory over Benfica in an unforgettable encounter at the Estadio da Luz. Describing the match as chaotic would be an understatement, with both teams delivering an action-packed spectacle that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
A Thrilling Start:
Barcelona responded almost immediately. Tomas Araujo fouled Alejandro Balde in the penalty area, and Robert Lewandowski calmly converted from the spot to level the score at 1-1.
The game exploded into life early, with four goals in the opening 30 minutes. Benfica struck first through Vangelis Pavlidis, who brilliantly converted a pinpoint cross from Alvaro Carreras just two minutes into the match. The former Manchester United winger’s energetic run and perfect delivery set the tone for a fast-paced and intense encounter.
However, disaster struck for Barcelona moments later. Wojciech Szczesny, in a shocking error, rushed out of his box to intercept a ball, but missed completely, colliding with his own teammate, Balde. Pavlidis was there to tap the ball into an empty net, putting Benfica back ahead.
Things went from bad to worse for Barcelona as Szczesny made another costly mistake just eight minutes later, giving away a penalty for a foul on Kerem Akturkoglu. Pavlidis completed his hat-trick, leaving Barcelona facing an uphill battle with a 3-1 deficit.
A Wild Second Half:
The second half proved just as chaotic. Benfica, now leading 3-1, allowed Barcelona to control possession, but they didn’t expect what happened next. A routine clearance from Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatolii Turbin deflected off Raphinha and into the net, making it 3-2 and giving Barcelona a lifeline.
Just as it seemed Barcelona were regaining momentum, disaster struck again. A cross into the box was turned into his own net by Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, restoring Benfica’s two-goal advantage.
With just 15 minutes left, Barcelona were handed a penalty after Lamine Yamal was fouled. Lewandowski stepped up to score his second of the night, bringing Barcelona to within a single goal at 4-3.
Dramatic Equalizer and Winner:
Substitute Eric Garcia was the hero four minutes from time, scoring a crucial equalizer with a header from close range, leaving Benfica stunned. With the clock ticking down, it seemed inevitable that Barcelona would find a winner, and they did just that.
Despite a penalty shout being denied, the hosts were caught out defensively as Raphinha broke forward. The Brazilian cut inside with precision, finishing coolly with his left foot to score a sensational last-minute winner for Barcelona.
Player Ratings:
- Wojciech Szczesny (GK): 5/10
Szczesny had a night to forget, with two significant errors leading to goals. His rushed decision-making contributed directly to Benfica’s lead, but he did make a few key saves during the game. - Jordi Alba: 7/10
A solid performance from Alba, who was involved in both defensive and attacking duties. He linked well with the midfield but had his hands full with Benfica’s offensive pressure. - Gerard Piqué: 6/10
Piqué showed leadership in defense but struggled to cope with the speed and intensity of Benfica’s attacks. His experience was valuable, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the goals conceded. - Eric Garcia: 8/10
Garcia was a standout, especially with his dramatic equalizer. His calmness under pressure helped Barcelona fight back, and he made key defensive contributions throughout the match. - Sergi Roberto: 7/10
Roberto worked tirelessly on the right flank and provided stability when Barcelona were under pressure. He made important defensive interventions and helped with the build-up play. - Sergio Busquets: 7/10
Busquets was his usual calm and composed self in midfield, orchestrating Barcelona’s play. Though Benfica’s counter-attacks caused problems, his passing and positioning remained vital. - Frenkie de Jong: 7/10
De Jong’s passing and ball distribution were key to Barcelona’s comeback. He was often a driving force in midfield, though he couldn’t completely contain Benfica’s counter-attacks. - Pedri: 7/10
Pedri showed his skill and vision, linking the midfield and attack. His creativity was vital in Barcelona’s recovery, although Benfica’s defensive setup made it challenging for him to have a greater impact. - Raphinha: 9/10
Raphinha was the hero of the night, playing a key role in Barcelona’s comeback. He scored the sensational last-minute winner and was consistently dangerous throughout the game. - Robert Lewandowski: 8/10
Lewandowski was clinical, converting a penalty and scoring another goal. His composure in front of goal was crucial to Barcelona’s late fightback. - Ansu Fati: 6/10
Fati struggled to get into the game as he was often marked tightly by Benfica’s defenders. He showed flashes of his ability but couldn’t make a major impact on the scoreline.
Final Thoughts:
Barcelona’s dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica was a Champions League classic, filled with twists, turns, and sensational moments. Raphinha’s last-minute winner capped off an unforgettable performance, while Eric Garcia’s crucial equalizer kept Barcelona’s hopes alive. Despite some defensive lapses, Barcelona showed incredible resilience to fight back and secure all three points in what will be remembered as one of the most chaotic matches of the season.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Wojciech Szczesny (3/10):
The former Arsenal goalkeeper had a nightmare performance, directly contributing to two of Benfica’s goals. He was responsible for conceding a penalty and made a critical error leading to a tap-in for Pavlidis. Despite his poor performance, Szczesny did redeem himself with a crucial save in the dying moments at 4-4, preventing a potential winner from Barcelona.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Like much of the Barcelona defense, Kounde struggled with Benfica’s relentless attacking pressure. He was turned inside out multiple times as the high defensive line was repeatedly breached. The Frenchman couldn’t cope with the pace and movement of the Benfica attackers, leaving the backline exposed.
Ronald Araujo (6/10):
Araujo was arguably the best performer among Barcelona’s defenders, providing some solidity amid the chaos. However, he will be disappointed with his own goal, which came shortly after Barcelona had pulled one back at 3-2. It was a cruel mistake at a pivotal moment, but Araujo did show resilience in other areas of the pitch.
Pau Cubarsi (5/10):
Cubarsi struggled in the opening minutes, failing to close down his man quickly enough and allowing Benfica’s first goal. If he had made the block, the frantic nature of the match might have been avoided. However, he did improve as the game went on but couldn’t prevent the constant pressure from Benfica.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Balde had a mixed performance, as he was caught out of position several times throughout the match. His failure to communicate with Szczesny for Benfica’s second goal was costly, but his contribution in winning Barcelona a penalty helped to redeem his performance. His attacking runs were a bright spot, but defensively, he struggled.
Final Thoughts: Barcelona’s defense had a rough night in Lisbon, with multiple mistakes leading to goals. Wojciech Szczesny’s errors, combined with a shaky backline, made for a stressful evening. However, despite these defensive lapses, Barcelona showed great character and resilience in the second half to secure a thrilling 5-4 victory. The team’s attacking quality, particularly from Raphinha and Lewandowski, played a huge role in the comeback, and ultimately, it was their offensive power that triumphed over the defensive frailties.
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