10-man Barcelona snatched a crucial 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 matchup, thanks to Raphinha's wonderful second-half strike.
The result gives Barcelona a crucial lead heading into next week's second leg, where the Spanish giants will also boast the benefit of the home advantage, leaving Benfica with a mountain to climb.
The first half started fast, with both goalkeepers tested early on - including a brilliant triple save from Anatoliy Trubin - but a red card for Pau Cubarsi after just 22 minutes caused the tempo to drop significantly, as Barcelona retreated deeper and Benfica aimed to make use of their man advantage, but neither side were able to break the deadlock as the scores remained level going into the break.
Benfica dominated the second 45 minutes, pinning Barcelona in their own half for large periods and forcing Wojciech Szczesny into several key saves, but it was the visitors who found the only goal of the game, as Raphinha fired perfectly into the bottom right corner from distance to snatch the victory for the Blaugrana.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
The early red card meant it was far from a vintage Barcelona performance, as Benfica were able to dominate possession, holding 52% overall and 65% in the second half.
However, Hansi Flick will be impressed with the defensive solidity on display from his side, as the Blaugrana managed to limit Benfica to very few major goalscoring opportunities, while their counter-attacking ability helped them to secure an unlikely victory given the early dismissal.
It is hard to judge the rest of Barcelona's performance, as they had very few chances to get forward, but they were able to make one attack count, with Raphinha's brilliant long-range goal.
As for Bruno Lage and Benfica, the manager will be extremely disappointed that his side were unable to capitalise on the man advantage, leaving them with a daunting task of overturning a deficit at Barcelona's home ground in the second leg.
It is the second devastating defeat to Barcelona already this season, having excruciatingly lost 5-4 to the Blaugrana in the league phase having held 3-1 and 4-2 leads.
Despite that, there is certainly positives for Lage to take from the match, as on any other night, they could well have found the back of the net on numerous occasions if not for the heroics of Szczesny.
BENFICA VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
22nd min: Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona) red card
BARCELONA DOWN TO 10 MEN! 🟥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Pau Cubarsi is sent off for a challenge on Vangelis Pavlidis outside the box
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/yiDocQTxEm
Barcelona are down to 10 men!
Vangelis Pavlidis charges through the middle of the Barcelona defence and is taken down by Cubarsi just outside the area, as the defender attempts to lunge around the striker to reach the ball.
The referee quickly reaches for the red card, and the VAR check confirms Felix Zwayer's decision, reducing Barcelona to 10 men with 70 minutes still to play.
Raphinha goal vs. Benfica (61st min, Benfica 0-1 Barcelona)
BARCELONA BREAK THE DEADLOCK 🔓
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
It's déjà vu for Benfica as Raphinha haunts the Estadio de Luz again with a long range strike following Silva's poor pass
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Barcelona are ahead! Sensational from Raphinha!
Benfica are looking to build from the back, but lose the ball in a dangerous area as Raphinha intercepts deep inside their half and drives towards the penalty area.
The Brazilian winger gets just outside the Benfica box and lets fly, and his strike flies past Trubin and into the bottom right corner to give the visitors an unlikely lead.
MAN OF THE MATCH - WOJCIECH SZCZESNY
© Imago
Szczesny was called into action on multiple occasions for Barcelona tonight, particularly in the second half, as the visitors were reduced to 10-men after just 22 minutes of the game.
The goalkeeper made seven saves altogether, including five stops from inside the box, helping Barcelona to keep a clean sheet and ensuring that they have the advantage going into next week's second leg.
The goalscorer, Raphinha, also deserves a mention, as his sublime strike from distance enabled the smash-and-grab victory for Barcelona, who will be delighted to have won that match given the circumstances.
BENFICA VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Benfica 52%-48% Barcelona
Shots: Benfica 26-10 Barcelona
Shots on target: Benfica 8-5 Barcelona
Corners: Benfica 13-4 Barcelona
Fouls: Benfica 18-5 Barcelona
BEST STATS
1- Pau Cubarsí 🇪🇸 has suffered his first red card for @FCBarcelona in all competitions (65 games). At 18 years and 42 days old, he is the second youngest player to be sent off in #UCL history after Celestine Babayaro in 1994 (16 years and 86 days). Red. pic.twitter.com/ykHJM7R66H
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 5, 2025
43 goal contributions in 40 games across all competitions this season.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
No player in the Champions League has been involved in more goals - 13.
There's a reason Raphinha is a Ballon d'Or contender 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/YSPf3pNWPY
WHAT NEXT?
Benfica will return to Primeira Liga action as they take on Nacional on Saturday, aiming to move level with league leaders Sporting Lisbon, before travelling to face Barcelona in the second leg next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Barcelona return to their home ground to face Osasuna in La Liga, looking to extend their lead at the top of the standings, followed by hosting Benfica in the second leg.
Ellis Stevens
