Barcelona's «remontada» over Benfica, on Tuesday night (4 to 5), echoes in the international sports press. From Catalonia to Argentina, there are even those who believe in this duel – in the 7th and penultimate round of the League Phase – as the craziest in the history of the Champions League.
The Catalans at Sport write, on digital, that Raphinha disguised himself as a “macanudo” – that is, a prestigious and respected character. In fact, Sport debates this striker's potential to surpass Vini Jr. in the race for the next Ballon d'Or.
As for the aftermath of the game, the same portal highlights the fury of the Benfica president: «Rui Costa attacked the referee».
In the printed edition, Sport describes the duel as «Crazy!», with Barcelona's «extraordinary “remontada”», which is worth a ticket to the round of 16.
Other titles from Catalonia, such as Mundo Deportivo and L'Esportiu, highlight the «delirium» and the «heroic» recovery.
«Benfica dominated for many minutes, favored by Szczesny's mistakes», criticizes L'Esportiu.
As for Marca, in the printed edition, the highlight is divided between the «memorable» victory of Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid – over Bayer Leverkusen (2-1).
On digital, this Madrid title elevates «Atleti». Regarding Barcelona, Marca highlights the exchange of insults at Luz and highlights Álvaro Carreras, «the fashionable full-back who escaped from Real Madrid».
In turn, the daily AS, even though it relegates Barcelona to a mere rectangle on the first page of the print, the Catalan emblem makes headlines on digital.
-“Relief of 50 million”, it reads, in reference to qualifying for the “round of 16” of the Champions League.
And the Daily Mail leaves a question: «The craziest game in the history of the Champions League? Barcelona seal a splendid comeback against Benfica in the last minute, after bizarre goals, a red card, chaos and controversy».
Also in the United Kingdom, The Guardian describes the duel as worthy of a “thriller”. In France, L'Équipe highlights the “crazy game”.
Strolling through the front pages of the UK press, the highlights are Liverpool's triumph, Manchester United's market and Ruben Amorim's fury. Meanwhile, in Italy, Atalanta's defeat and Juventus' draw are highlighted.
On the other side of the world, Globoesporte praises the «Raphinha Show» and Barcelona's «incredible turnaround».
Keeping an eye on Otamendi, Di María and Rolheiser, Olé, from Argentina, highlights Szczesny's «blooper» in Benfica's second goal. In any case, this diary does not forget the “historic recovery” led by Raphinha.
All things considered in the League Phase, Barcelona joins Liverpool in the «eighth» classification, occupying 2nd place, with 18 points. In turn, Benfica is 18th, with 10 points, three away from positions that guarantee direct classification for the “eighth”.
The Eagles are level with Sporting, Feyenoord and Stuttgart (21st).
