Barcelona stuns benfica with comeback to seal Champions League last-16 spot
Raphinha scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute of injury time, sealing an unforgettable victory.
KATHMANDU: Barcelona delivered a spectacular second-half comeback on Tuesday, defeating Benfica 5-4 in a thrilling Champions League encounter.
Raphinha scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute of injury time, sealing an unforgettable victory.
Despite a first-half hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis giving Benfica a commanding 3-1 lead, the Portuguese side failed to maintain their advantage.
For Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha each netted twice, while Eric García added a crucial goal.
Pavlidis completed his hat-trick by the 30th minute, scoring his first in the second minute and following up with two more, including a penalty.
Lewandowski equalized with a penalty in the 13th minute, but Benfica reclaimed their dominance through Pavlidis’ brilliance.
The first half ended with Benfica leading 3-1.
Raphinha reignited Barcelona’s fightback in the 64th minute. Though an own goal by Barcelona in the 68th minute temporarily extended Benfica’s lead, Lewandowski’s penalty in the 78th minute kept Barcelona in the contest.
Eric García’s 84th-minute equalizer set the stage for a dramatic finish, and Raphinha’s injury-time strike completed Barcelona’s astonishing turnaround.
With this win, Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16, marking an extraordinary night of football.
