Barcelona Edges Benfica in a Nine-Goal Thriller in Lisbon

In a game that will live long in the memory, Barcelona secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica in a rain-soaked encounter in Lisbon. The match, packed with goals, defensive mishaps, and relentless action, saw both teams battling until the final whistle in a game befitting the grandest stage of European football.

The night began disastrously for Barcelona as Vangelis Pavlidis stunned the visitors with a first-half hat-trick, capitalizing on defensive lapses and two uncharacteristic errors by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Benfica raced to a 3-1 lead, with Barcelona's only first-half response coming from a Robert Lewandowski penalty that kept them within touching distance.

After the restart, the chaos continued. Raphinha's bizarre header found the net to reduce the deficit, but a cruel own goal by Ronald Araújo restored Benfica's two-goal cushion. Despite the setback, Barcelona refused to fold. Lewandowski once again showed his composure from the spot, converting his second penalty of the night to bring Barcelona closer.

As the clock ticked down, Eric García rose to head home the equalizer in the dying minutes of regulation time, setting the stage for a frantic finish. With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Raphinha emerged as the hero, racing clear in the final moments to slot home the winner, completing a sensational comeback and breaking Benfica hearts.

The statistical xG figures—3.28 for Benfica and 3.69 for Barcelona—highlight the relentless attacking nature of the game, with both sides creating ample chances in an end-to-end affair.

The victory puts Barcelona on the verge of securing an automatic Round of 16 knockout spot, while Benfica will rue their missed opportunity to capitalize on Barcelona's early defensive struggles.

For Barcelona, this match showcased their attacking prowess and unyielding spirit, but also highlighted vulnerabilities at the back that coach Flick will need to address in the games ahead.