Raphinha scored a wonderful long -range strike, as Barcelona overcame Benfica to win a thin first foot advantage despite most of the game with 10 men.
The Brazilian player set the only goal of the competition in the sign of time, after Pau Cubarsi had given a straight red card just 20 minutes to the race when he fell under Vangelis Pavlidis.
Hansi Flick’s side defended decisively for 70 minutes, forcing the inevitable attack on Lisbon attack to finish Benfica’s eight match in all matches.
For the hosts, he will feel like a missed opportunity to win the upper hand in the tie. For the flick and the partner. They will feel as if they have given themselves a great opportunity to move on to the last eight.
🔥🔥🔥 Full time! 🔥🔥🔥#Benficabarça @CchampionslagueGue pic.twitter.com/rapapi6dcj
– FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) March 5 2025
How the action unfolded
A rough Estadio da Luz has often proved a huge perspective for any team he visits, especially when Benfica is at their disposal.
Barcelona knew that very well, having just prevailed in a fascinating 5-4 victory when both sides met in the championship phase in January.
And it seemed that the fans in the light stage could be in another frantic night, as in 30 seconds, the Barcelona guard Wojciech Sczczesny was called in action to keep Kerem akturkoglu.
It was an inflated signal of the hosts, but La Liga’s side seemed quickly to calm the competition with their usual interventions.
It was soon the series of Benfica’s Shotstopper Anatoliy Tubin to show its value. The Ukrainian made a series of wonderful savings after the ball found his way to Robert Lewandowski, but visitors failed to force the ball home.
Barcelona’s hopes for a strong first leg appeared then a strong blow when, after just 20 minutes, Cubarsi showed a straight red card when he was deemed to have refused a chance of a boat as Pavlidis burst.
Barcelona under 10 men! 🟥
PAU CUBARSI IS SENT OFF FOR A CHALLENGE ON VANGELIS PAVLIDIS OUTSIDE THE BOX
📺 @tntsports & @DiscoveryPlusuk pic.twitter.com/yidocqtxem
– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5 2025
It was far from how the batter envisioned the night he was playing. Benfica, meanwhile, felt an opportunity. Sczczesny saved well from Pavlidis before the boss of Barcelona chose to reinforce his defense by replacing Dani Olmo with Ronald Araujo.
With the guests investigating, visitors would certainly have taken an indefinite impasse. But long after the break, Barcelona was the ones who broke the deadlock.
Raphinha, who has been sparkled for the Catalan Club, scored the 25th goal of the season-and the 43rd goal contribution to 40 games this term-with a great long strike.
Barcelona breaks the deadlock 🔓
Is déjà vu for benfica as Raphinha haunts Estadio de luz again with a long -range strike after the poor pass of Silva
📺 @tntsports & @DiscoveryPlusuk pic.twitter.com/lywj4zhkur
– Football at TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5 2025
By limiting a Benfica error, the Brazilian was charged on the back of Benfica before he dives on a low left -handed shot from the edge of the box.
Cue wild scenes in the long dugout, as visitors suddenly had something to cling to.
But there was still a long way to go. Shortly thereafter, the hosts seemed to have been sentenced when Andrea Belotti passed Sczcesny, but the striker was already offside.
At this point, it was one -way circulation, as Benfica went desperately in search of a goal. Joao Rego tried a general kick. Arthur Cabral caused chaos in the Barcelona penalty area. Sczcesny came back to the rescue of the visitor when he fell away from Renato Sanches’ late attempt.
Eventually, their efforts eventually proved to be fruitless, as Barcelona took place to get a thin advantage back to the Spotify Camp Nou next week.
