Barcelona put on a stellar performance as they defeated Benfica 3-1 on Tuesday, securing a 4-1 aggregate victory to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were the standout performers of the match, with Raphinha scoring twice and Yamal adding a brilliant goal in the first half.
The Catalans took control early on, with Raphinha opening the scoring before Nicolas Otamendi quickly equalized for Benfica. However, Barcelona continued to dominate at the Olympic Stadium, showcasing exceptional attacking football.
Manager Hansi Flick’s team will now face either Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarter-finals, with hopes of capturing the Champions League title for the first time since 2015. The team played in memory of their late club doctor Carles Minarro, who passed away unexpectedly before their postponed match against Osasuna.
Barcelona took the lead through Yamal’s goal, followed by Otamendi’s equalizer for Benfica. Despite the setback, Barcelona regained their lead with Raphinha scoring his second goal of the match before halftime. The winger’s performance put him at the top of the scoring charts with 11 goals in the tournament.
Benfica missed the presence of injured midfielder Angel Di Maria, and even with him, overcoming Barcelona would have been a tough task given their current form. Fredrik Aursnes found the net for Benfica in the second half, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Barcelona now looks ahead to their quarter-final matchup and prepares for a crucial La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid on Sunday. The team’s exceptional performance against Benfica has boosted their confidence as they continue their quest for silverware in both domestic and European competitions.
