Barcelona 5-4 Benfica (January 21, 2025) Game Analysis

Barcelona‘s Raphinha scored deep into stoppage time to give his team a dramatic 5-4 comeback win at Benfica to secure a place at the top of the Champions League table on Tuesday. This came after a hat trick from Vangelis Pavlidis gave the hosts a two-goal break at the break.

The Catalans continued their recent poor La Liga run of form with a shaky start at the Estadio da Luz while coach Hansi Flick’s decision to start goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny raised questions after the Polish keeper’s mistakes led to two Benfica goals.

But Flick’s side fought back late in the game to secure their place in the next round, finishing second with 18 points from seven games heading into next week’s final group stage games.

Benfica missed out on a win that would have moved them closer to the top eight, which automatically qualify for the round of 16, and instead dropped to 18th with 10 points in the playoff places.

“We knew it would be a difficult game. I know how difficult it is to play here against Benfica. They have players at the highest level,” former Sporting striker Raphinha told Movistar.

“We didn’t get carried away when we were 3-1 down. It was a spectacular game for the spectators. Anyone could have won.”

Greek forward Pavlidis opened the scoring after two minutes with a tap-in before Robert Lewandowski equalized from the spot as VAR awarded Barca a penalty for one Tomás Araújo error on Alejandro Balde in the 11th minute.

Pavlidis restored Benfica’s lead by capitalizing on a poor run from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny which left the striker with an open goal. The 26-year-old got his third with a penalty after Szczesny was fouled Kerem Akturkoglu at the half hour mark.

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A blunder by Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin It also proved costly as he headed the ball straight onto Raphinha’s head and into the net for a bizarre goal as the visitors pulled one back in the 64th minute to make it 3-2.

However, Barcelona’s defensive woes continued and Benfica extended their lead again four minutes later thanks to an own goal Ronald Araújo before Lewandowski scored his second with another clinical penalty in the 78th.

Replace Eric Garcia then equalized with a towering header from a penalty Peter cross three minutes from time. Raphinha then found the winner six minutes into stoppage time from a quick counter-attack that stunned the home crowd.

“It was an incredible win. The team didn’t lose their heads throughout the game,” defender Garcia said. “When you start the game losing, it ruins your plans.

“It is important to qualify for the next round. We came with this goal in mind.”

Barça host Atalanta in their final first stage game next Wednesday, with Benfica looking to bounce back at Juventus.