Barcelona 3-1 Benfica: Raphinha Inflicts More Pain on Benfica as Barca Advance
Barcelona vs Benfica
Barcelona secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Benfica in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie, a result that underscored their dominance and extended their unbeaten run in the competition to nine games. The Camp Nou faithful were treated to a masterclass from Raphinha, who netted twice, and the teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, whose flair and precision proved too much for the Portuguese side to handle. This second-leg triumph followed a hard-fought 1-0 win in Lisbon the previous week, where Raphinha had also been the difference-maker, and it showcased Barcelona’s growing cohesion and attacking potency under their current stewardship. The match unfolded as a tale of contrasting generations, with Raphinha’s experience and Yamal’s youthful exuberance combining to devastating effect, while Benfica’s veteran Nicolás Otamendi briefly kept his team in contention with a well-taken equalizer. However, Barcelona’s relentless pressure and clinical finishing ultimately prevailed, sending them through to the last eight for the second consecutive season and fueling optimism that this iteration of the Blaugrana could go further than their quarter-final exit to PSG in the previous campaign.
The scoring opened early, with Raphinha striking in the 11th minute to set the tone for Barcelona’s performance. The goal was a product of seamless teamwork, as Yamal darted down the wing and whipped a low, inviting ball across the face of the goal, leaving Raphinha with the straightforward task of firing it past Benfica goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin from close range. The Brazilian’s first-time finish was instinctive and ruthless, a testament to his predatory instincts in the box, and it immediately put Benfica on the back foot. Yet, the visitors responded with remarkable resilience, leveling the score just two minutes later through Otamendi, who rose highest to meet a corner and powered a header beyond Barcelona’s outstretched goalkeeper. At 37 years and 27 days old, Otamendi etched his name into the Champions League history books as the third-oldest goalscorer in the knockout stages, trailing only Ryan Giggs and Edin Džeko—a moment of pride for the Argentine defender amid an otherwise challenging night. The quickfire exchange of goals set the stage for a pulsating encounter, with both teams displaying their attacking intent, but it was Barcelona who would seize control as the half progressed, their youthful energy and technical brilliance beginning to overwhelm Benfica’s more seasoned lineup.
The turning point came in the 27th minute when Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old sensation who has taken European football by storm, restored Barcelona’s lead with a moment of individual brilliance that will be replayed for years to come. Collecting the ball just outside the penalty area, Yamal unleashed a curling strike that arced beautifully into the top corner, leaving Trubin with no chance and sending the Camp Nou into raptures. The goal was not only a thing of beauty but also a historic milestone, as Yamal became the youngest player in Champions League history—at 17 years and 241 days—to both score and assist in the same match, a record that speaks volumes about his precocious talent and maturity beyond his years. His contribution shifted the momentum decisively in Barcelona’s favor, and the contrast between his youthful exuberance and Otamendi’s veteran grit encapsulated the generational shift driving this Barcelona side forward. With Benfica reeling, Barcelona pressed their advantage, their intricate passing and relentless movement carving open the opposition defense time and again, setting the stage for Raphinha to further cement his legacy in the competition.
Just before halftime, Raphinha struck again, adding a third goal that not only sealed the tie but also etched his name into the annals of Champions League lore. In the 42nd minute, he latched onto a well-weighted pass, shrugged off his marker, and slotted the ball past Trubin with the composure of a seasoned finisher. This strike brought his tally to 11 goals in the competition for the 2024-25 season, a remarkable feat that saw him surpass the likes of Kaká, Rivaldo, Roberto Firmino, Mário Jardel, and Neymar to become the first Brazilian to score more than 10 goals in a single Champions League campaign. His five goals across the three meetings with Benfica this season—including the first leg and both strikes in the second—highlighted his particular affinity for this opponent, and his record-breaking performance underscored his pivotal role in Barcelona’s European resurgence. As the teams headed into the interval, the 3-1 scoreline reflected Barcelona’s dominance, and while Benfica had shown flashes of resistance, they were visibly struggling to cope with the pace and precision of their hosts, who seemed intent on making a statement on the continental stage.
The second half saw a shift in tempo, with Barcelona opting for control rather than chaos, a tactical adjustment that allowed them to dictate proceedings and stifle Benfica’s attempts at a comeback. The La Liga giants maintained possession with their trademark tiki-taka style, frustrating their opponents and sapping their energy as the clock ticked on. While no further goals materialized, Barcelona’s grip on the game never wavered, their defense—marshaled superbly by the likes of Ronald Araújo—standing firm against Benfica’s increasingly desperate forays forward. The Camp Nou crowd, sensing victory, roared their approval as their team showcased a maturity that belied the youth of key contributors like Yamal, a sign that this Barcelona side is evolving into a well-rounded unit capable of competing with Europe’s elite. For Benfica, the second half was a lesson in futility, their early promise undone by Barcelona’s relentless quality, and as the final whistle blew, the 3-1 result felt like a fair reflection of the gulf between the two sides on the night. Advancing with a 4-1 aggregate scoreline, Barcelona marched into the quarter-finals, their sights set on a deeper run than the previous season, when PSG had halted their journey at this very stage.
Looking ahead, this victory offers a tantalizing glimpse of Barcelona’s potential in this year’s Champions League. Last term’s quarter-final exit to PSG had been a bitter disappointment, but the current squad appears better equipped—both in terms of personnel and mentality—to mount a serious challenge for the trophy. Raphinha’s goal-scoring exploits, paired with Yamal’s emergence as a generational talent, provide a dynamic attacking threat, while the team’s ability to control games suggests a growing tactical sophistication under their current management. Benfica, meanwhile, can take some solace in Otamendi’s historic strike and their spirited first-half response, but their elimination highlights the fine margins that define success at this level. For Barcelona, the road to the final remains fraught with challenges, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and defending champions Real Madrid potentially lying in wait. Yet, as they bask in the glow of this convincing win, there’s a palpable sense of optimism at the Camp Nou—a belief that this could be the year they reclaim their place among Europe’s pantheon of greats. With nine games unbeaten and a blend of youth and experience firing on all cylinders, Barcelona’s Champions League journey is one to watch, and their dismantling of Benfica serves as a warning to all who stand in their path.
