FC Barcelona played a sensational match against Portuguese giants Benfica and secured direct promotion to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Trailing 2-4 after 75 minutes, Barcelona scored three goals in the final 20 minutes of the match, marking a remarkable turnaround. Brazilian winger Raphinha was again in excellent form, scoring twice, including a dramatic 96th-minute winner, while Robert Lewandowksi also scored twice. Thanks to the victory, Hansi Flick’s team is in second place in the Champions League table.
Barcelona started badly, conceding a goal after just two minutes, after a shot from Benfica’s Greek striker, Vangelis Pavlidis.
Although Lewandowski equalized from the penalty spot 10 minutes later, Barcelona’s fortunes worsened towards the end of the first half.
Pavlidis took advantage of a mistake by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and scored into an empty net, making it 2-1. Shortly afterwards, Pavlidis completed a memorable hat-trick, scoring a goal from the penalty spot, and after the first half hour the guests were 3-1 down.
Watch: Barcelona’s sensational comeback against Benfica
Raphinha equalized in the 64th minute, intercepting a weak shot from the Benfica goal and heading home, but it looked like there would be no comeback when Ronald Araujo conceded an own goal, leaving Barcelona 2-4 down.
-However, there were more surprises in this dramatic game, which began with another penalty, when Lewandowski scored from the spot in the 78th minute.
In the 86th minute, Eric Garcia headed home Pedri’s delicate cross and four minutes before the end drew Barcelona 4-4.
And the turnaround ended in the 96th minute. Despite just four minutes of stoppage time, Barcelona managed to continue playing after a Benfica corner counterattack. Raphinha was sent in from the right flank but remained incredibly calm to cut inside and secure a dramatic victory.
Barcelona thus became the second team, after Liverpool, to secure a place in the round of 16.
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