Barcelona Edges Past Benfica with a Hard-Fought 1-0 Win
Barcelona kicked off their Champions League knockout stage campaign with a crucial 1-0 victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. Despite playing nearly 70 minutes with 10 men after Pau Cubarsí’s early red card, Hansi Flick’s team displayed resilience, with Raphinha scoring the decisive goal to hand the Catalans a vital advantage heading into the second leg.
First Half: Early Drama and a Game-Changing Red Card
Benfica aimed for a fast start and nearly found the net within the first 30 seconds as Aktürkoglu fired a shot toward the corner, only for Wojciech Szczesny to make an impressive save. Barcelona quickly regained composure, controlling possession with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri orchestrating play from midfield.
Lamine Yamal proved an early threat, forcing Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin into a remarkable triple save, denying both him and Robert Lewandowski. Just as Barcelona settled into a rhythm, the match took a dramatic turn in the 22nd minute. Pavlidis broke through the defense, and Cubarsí brought him down at the edge of the box, earning a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Flick responded by sacrificing Dani Olmo for Ronald Araújo to reinforce the backline, shifting to a 4-4-1 defensive setup. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Barcelona remained organized, limiting Benfica to speculative efforts. The home side’s best first-half chance came just before the break when Aktürkoglu met a cross at the far post, but Szczesny produced another crucial save. Meanwhile, Raphinha squandered a golden opportunity on the counterattack by opting to pass instead of shooting.
Tensions escalated when Benfica’s Barreiro escaped with only a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Iñigo Martínez. Barcelona’s frustration was evident, with Iñigo and Araújo receiving bookings for dissent. The halftime whistle blew with the visitors holding firm, setting the stage for a tense second half.
Second Half: Raphinha Strikes as Barcelona Stands Tall
Benfica started the second half aggressively, exploiting space on Barcelona’s right flank. Left-back Carreras repeatedly troubled Jules Koundé and Yamal, forcing Flick to react. The coach introduced Ferran Torres for Yamal, shifting Raphinha to the right wing to reinforce defensive stability.
Barcelona’s resolve paid off at the hour mark when Benfica center-back António Silva’s misplaced pass fell to Raphinha. The Brazilian capitalized on the mistake, firing a powerful shot into the bottom corner to give Barcelona the lead.
Benfica coach Bruno Lage introduced attacking reinforcements, adopting a 4-2-4 formation with Pavlidis and Belotti spearheading the attack. In response, Flick made defensive substitutions, bringing on Gerard Martín and Marc Casadó to solidify Barcelona’s shape. Pedri played a crucial role in controlling possession under pressure, while Szczesny continued his heroics in goal.
As the clock ticked down, Benfica pushed forward desperately. A moment of controversy arose when Szczesny collided with Belotti in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. However, VAR overturned the decision due to an offside in the buildup, sparing Barcelona from further trouble. The hosts launched one final assault, but the Blaugrana defense held firm, with Szczesny making a decisive save in stoppage time.
A Display of Resilience and Team Spirit
Barcelona’s victory epitomized resilience and tactical discipline. Winning away to Benfica and keeping a clean sheet with 10 men underscores the team’s fighting spirit. Raphinha’s composure in front of goal and Szczesny’s stellar goalkeeping were instrumental in securing the first-leg advantage.
Despite the early red card, Barcelona showcased their ability to withstand adversity. This performance instills confidence as they head into the second leg with a crucial lead. With their determination and Raphinha’s knack for decisive moments, Barcelona remains a formidable contender in the Champions League.
Match Summary:
Benfica:
Starting XI: Trubin; Araújo (Dahl 57′), Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Barreiro (Belotti 70′), Aursnes, Kökçü (Sanches 84′); Aktürkoglu, Pavlidis (Cabral 84′), Schjelderup (Rego 70′)
Goals: None
Barcelona:
Starting XI: Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; De Jong (Casadó 79′), Pedri; Yamal (Ferran 56′), Olmo (Araújo 28′), Raphinha; Lewandowski (Martín 79′)
Goals: Raphinha (61′)
Red Card: Cubarsí (22′)
Barcelona now shifts focus to the second leg at home, where they aim to capitalize on this hard-earned advantage and secure a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
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