Barcelona staged a memorable comeback to clinch a dramatic 5-4 away victory over Benfica, winning a Champions League game from a two-goal deficit for the first time in the competition's history.
Flick was ultimately left to rue his decision to start Szczesny over Inaki Pena in a disastrous first half for the Catalan giants.
They looked to have wrestled back control following a poor start when Robert Lewandowski kept his composure from the spot to cancel out Vangelis Pavlidis' early opener.
However, Pavlidis took advantage of Szczesny's collision with Alejandro Balde to restore Benfica's advantage, before a clumsy challenge from the shot-stopper allowed the Greek striker the chance to score from the penalty spot to become just the fourth player to net a Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona.
Unfortunately for the hosts, the feel-good feeling around the Estadio da Luz had dissipated by the end of the contest, as the visitors scored four second-half goals to Benfica's one to rescue a point
Raphinha's effort was followed by a Ronald Araujo own goal, before Lewandowski netted his second penalty of the game, setting the platform for Eric Garcia to head home an 87th-minute equaliser.
Not content, Raphinha went on to snatch all three points with a 95th-minute winner to complete an incredible comeback as Benfica appealed for a penalty at the opposite end of the pitch - perhaps a fitting way to finish such a dramatic contest.
Second-placed Barcelona have sealed their direct entry to the last 16, while the Portuguese side are down in 18th position following the defeat.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
This was a game that demonstrated the brilliance and the flaws of Barcelona's aggressive approach under the tutelage of Hansi Flick.
For large portions of the game, the Blaugrana's high line made them look vulnerable against Benfica's attacking contingent, and their defensive frailties were not helped by Szczesny's first-half errors.
However, the second-half fightback and the amount of chances created showcased the potential rewards of Barcelona's risk-free approach.
Flick will be hoping for simpler Champions League nights going forward, but if his side goes deep into the competition, there is every chance that we could see more exhilarating games like this one.
BENFICA VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
Pavlidis goal vs. Barcelona (2nd min, Benfica 1-0 Barcelona)
The Estádio da Luz erupts as Vangelis Pavlidis gives Benfica a surprise early lead against Barcelona 😲
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/RMEkQXjZm9
Benfica are already in front. A cross-field ball sends Alvaro Carreras racing down the Benfica left flank. The former Manchester United defender whips in a first-time cross towards Pavlidis, who lashes it past Szczesny to give his side an early lead.
Lewandowski goal vs. Benfica (13th min, Benfica 1-1 Barcelona)
Robert Lewandowski converts expertly from the spot 🎯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
That's seven in seven for the Barcelona marksman in Europe!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jf1VLhddRv
Lewandowski equalised from 12 yards. The referee is sent over to the monitor to review Tomas Araujo's challenge on Balde. The replays show that the Benfica defender made contact with Balde's boot rather than the ball. The referee overturns his on-field decision, giving Lewandowski the chance to go to the penalty spot. Lewandowski stutters before sending Anatoliy Trubin the wrong way to score his eighth European goal of the season.
Pavlidis goal vs. Barcelona (22nd min, Benfica 2-1 Barcelona)
Defensive disaster for Barcelona at the back as Vangelis Pavlidis pounces to put Benfica back in front in a flash 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1Esp5nbASB
What a disaster for Barcelona! Szczesny comes running out of his box to deal with a long ball forward, only to wipe out his teammate, Balde, who was heading in the opposite direction. The collision left Pavlidis with the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net.
Pavlidis goal vs. Barcelona (30th min, Benfica 3-1 Barcelona)
Penalty to Benfica!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Wojciech Szczęsny is judged to gave wiped out Kerem Aktürkoğlu 🫵
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ykPQyHbwLq
It is another Benfica goal and another Szczesny mistake. The goalkeeper charges off his line before diving at the feet of Kerem Akturkoglu. The contact is minimal, but he fails to make any contact with the ball, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty to the hosts. Pavilidis steps up to send the ball down the middle of the goal, sealing his hat-trick inside the opening half-hour.
Raphinha goal vs. Benfica (64th min, Benfica 3-2 Barcelona)
A game of goalkeeping calamities 😳
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
The ball ricochets off the head of Raphinha from the Benfica goalkeeper and into the back of the net... 3-2!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/IgQB1CodtP
The goalkeeping errors appear to be contagious. Trubin fires his attempted pass straight at Raphinha. The ball bounces off the Brazilian's head and flies into the net to reduce the deficit to one.
Araujo own goal vs. Barcelona (68th min, Benfica 4-2 Barcelona)
Benfica score again 😤
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Their two-goal cushion is restored in a matter of minutes thanks to a Ronald Araújo own goal... 4-2!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/QMS8fMLvj9
Just as the momentum seems to be in Barcelona's favour, Benfica restore their two-goal cushion courtesy of an Araujo own goal. The Barcelona defender can only divert the ball past his own goalkeeper in his attempt to deal with a near-post cross.
Lewandowski goal vs. Benfica (78th min, Benfica 4-3 Barcelona)
Robert Lewandowski scores his second penalty of the evening after Lamine Yamal was brought down in the box 🤜 🤛
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/mW5P1PA1Qi
Game on? Barcelona are not done yet. Lewandowski gets the chance to go to the penalty for the second time after Carreras brings down Lamine Yamal in the box. Like his first spot-kick, the veteran forward sends Trubin the wrong way, sparking hopes of a positive result.
Garcia goal vs. Benfica (87th min, Benfica 4-4 Barcelona)
Barcelona complete the unlikeliest of comebacks 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Eric García heads them level at 4-4!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/XDfIFTm0WF
Barcelona are back level! Garcia, who has been linked with a move away, powers a header home from Pedri's inviting delivery to score his first Champions League goal and complete a sensational comeback.
Raphinha goal vs. Benfica (96th min, Benfica 4-5 Barcelona)
OH MY WORD, RAPHINHA WINS IT FOR BARCELONA 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 21, 2025
Against all odds, it's 5-4! What a turnaround!
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yao5ovmBq3
WHAT IS HAPPENING? The Blaugrana snatch all three points in the most dramatic of circumstances. Benfica are appealing for a penalty at the opposite end of the pitch as the visitors launch a quickfire counter-attack. Raphinha cuts inside onto his favoured left foot before drilling the ball past Trubin to spark scenes of jubilation among the Barcelona contingent.
MAN OF THE MATCH - VANGELIS PAVLIDIS
© Imago
Pavlidis effectively wrapped up their Man of the Match award inside the opening 30 minutes despite the fact his team ended the game with nothing to show for his efforts.
The Greece international showcased his clinical nature with his impressive first-time finish for the opener, before he took full advantage of two Szczesny's errors to give his side a crucial two-goal cushion at the break.
Impressively, the 26-year-old registered Benfica's quickest hat-trick in a major European game since Eusebio in 1965.
Obviously, from Barcelona's perspective, we should mention the importance of Lewandowski and Raphinha, who both finished the match with two goals apiece.
BENFICA VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Benfica 25%-75% Barcelona
Shots: Benfica 10-22 Barcelona
Shots on target: Benfica 5-11 Barcelona
Corners: Benfica 2-6 Barcelona
Fouls: Benfica 9-9 Barcelona
BEST STATS
18 - @lewy_official 🇵🇱 has scored his 18th #UCL penalty goal and only @Cristiano 🇵🇹 (19) has scored more in this way in the history of the competition (equals Messi). Accurate. pic.twitter.com/G8kchKyIvO
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 21, 2025
Only four players have scored a Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona in the #UCL era:
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 21, 2025
◎ Faustino Asprilla (1997)
◎ Andriy Shevchenko (1997)
◎ Kylian Mbappé (2021)
◉ Vangelis Pavlidis (2025)
He has Wojciech Szczesny to thank for two of the goals. 😅 pic.twitter.com/W58u3jOzTE
Vangelis Pavlidis's hat-trick against Barcelona was:
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 21, 2025
🔸first by a Greek player in the UCL since Kostas Mitroglou in Oct 2013
🔸third quickest (from start of game) in UCL history
🔸Benfica's quickest in a major European game since Eusébio in 1965 pic.twitter.com/regjjUmGvW
4+ - Barcelona are the second team to win a Champions League match despite conceding 4+ goals, being this the first time they have won a Champions League match they were losing by two goals.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 21, 2025
Reaction. pic.twitter.com/OGAJD8RsJc
WHAT NEXT?
After giving up a 4-2 lead, Benfica will have to pick themselves up for Saturday's Primeira Liga clash with Casa Pia, before they travel to Italy next week for a meeting with Juventus on the final matchday of the Champions League league phase.
Like Benfica, Barcelona will also face an Italian side on matchday eight, with the Catalan side set to play host to Atalanta next Wednesday, but first, they will look to negotiate a La Liga clash against Valencia.
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