Barcelona vs Benfica: Magic Raphinha wins it for the Catalans 2025

Barcelona vs Benfica, Barcelona pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg despite playing with 10 men for most of the match. A moment of brilliance from Raphinha and an outstanding goalkeeping display by Wojciech Szczesny helped the Blaugrana claim a crucial away win. The match saw Pau Cubarsi receive a controversial red card in the first half, leaving Hansi Flick’s side with an uphill battle. However, Barcelona showed remarkable resilience to keep their hopes alive in Europe’s biggest club competition.

Barcelona vs Benfica: Raphinha with the magic touch

The game started at a frenetic pace, with Benfica creating an early chance in just 30 seconds, but Szczesny pulled off a crucial save. Barcelona responded quickly, with Robert Lewandowski testing Anatoliy Trubin with a powerful shot, only for the Benfica goalkeeper to make a brilliant double save.

However, disaster struck for Barcelona in the 20th minute when Pau Cubarsi was sent off for bringing down Vangelis Pavlidis as the last man. Despite VAR reviewing the incident, the referee upheld his decision, leaving Barcelona with 10 men.

With a numerical disadvantage, the Blaugrana played a more compact game, absorbing Benfica’s pressure. Then, in the 60th minute, Raphinha capitalized on a defensive mistake, surged forward, and unleashed a rocket from outside the box, which took a slight deflection before nestling into the bottom corner.

Benfica tried to mount a comeback, and Szczesny had to make a series of brilliant saves, including a crucial stop against Renato Sanches in the dying moments. Despite late pressure, Barcelona held firm to take a vital first-leg lead back to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Barcelona vs Benfica: Player Ratings

Goalkeeper & Defence

Wojciech Szczesny (9/10) ⭐
The standout performer of the night. Pulled off multiple world-class saves to deny Benfica, keeping Barcelona’s lead intact. Got lucky when VAR overturned a penalty call against him but deserved his clean sheet.

Jules Kounde (7/10)
Solid defensively, especially after Cubarsi’s red card. Made important clearances and interceptions to keep Benfica at bay.

Pau Cubarsi (2/10) ⛔
An unfortunate night for the youngster. His red card in the 20th minute left Barcelona in trouble.

Inigo Martinez (7/10)
Recovered from an early knock to put in a gritty performance. Cleared multiple dangerous crosses and won key aerial duels.

Alejandro Balde (7/10)
Showed his attacking prowess with some brilliant dribbles. Played a more defensive role after the red card but still looked dangerous going forward.

Midfield

Frenkie de Jong (6/10)
Struggled under Benfica’s intense pressing but kept possession well when needed. Substituted in the second half to add fresh legs.

Pedri (7/10)
Calm and composed on the ball, dictated play when he had possession, and worked tirelessly off it. A vital presence in the midfield battle.

Dani Olmo (6/10)
Had to be sacrificed after Cubarsi’s red card. Unlucky to be taken off so early in the game.

Attack

Lamine Yamal (3/10) ❌
Couldn’t get into the game due to Barcelona going down to 10 men early. Substituted in the second half.

Robert Lewandowski (6/10)
Came close to scoring early in the match but was denied by Trubin’s incredible double save. Had limited service but worked hard for the team.

Raphinha (8/10) ⚡
Barcelona’s match-winner. Scored a stunning long-range goal and was a constant attacking threat. Has become one of Barcelona’s most influential players.

Substitutes & Manager

Ronald Araujo (7/10)
Came on for Olmo to strengthen the defence and played a key role in keeping Benfica quiet.

Ferran Torres (5/10)
Failed to make an impact after coming on for Yamal.

Gerard Martin (5/10)
Barely had a chance to influence the game.

Marc Casado (N/A)
Brought on in the final minutes for fresh legs.

Hansi Flick (8/10) 🧠
His tactical reshuffle after the red card was spot on. Barcelona defended well and took their chance when it mattered. A masterclass in game management.

Key Takeaways from Barcelona vs Benfica

1. Wojciech Szczesny Proves His Worth

The Polish goalkeeper was unbeatable, making several key saves to keep Barcelona ahead. Without his heroics, Benfica could have easily won the game.

2. Raphinha Steps Up Again

With key players struggling, Raphinha took responsibility and delivered when it mattered most. His goal was the difference-maker and underlined his growing influence in the team.

3. Barcelona’s Defence Stands Strong

Despite playing with 10 men for most of the game, Barcelona’s defence held firm. Araujo, Kounde, and Martinez put in strong performances, ensuring the clean sheet.

4. Benfica Waste Their Chances

The Portuguese giants dominated possession but failed to convert their opportunities. Pavlidis, Sanches, and Belotti all missed crucial chances.

5. Tough Second Leg Awaits

Barcelona have the advantage, but the return leg at home will not be easy. Benfica will come out aggressively, knowing they need at least a goal to stay in the tie.

Conclusion

Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League Round of 16 was a testament to their resilience and defensive discipline. Wojciech Szczesny was the hero with his exceptional goalkeeping, while Raphinha’s stunning goal secured a vital first-leg lead. Despite Pau Cubarsi’s red card, Hansi Flick’s side showed tremendous grit to come away with a clean sheet.

The Blaugrana now head into the second leg in a strong position, but with Benfica needing a win, the battle is far from over.

🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “I know that Benfica had a lot of chances but today we had a good goalie on the pitch and of course we deserved it.”#BenficaBarça @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/IIMjUNB7IK

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 6, 2025

FAQs

1. What was the final score of Barcelona vs Benfica?

Barcelona won 1-0 against Benfica in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg.

2. Who scored for Barcelona against Benfica?

Raphinha scored the only goal of the match with a stunning long-range strike.

3. Why was Pau Cubarsi sent off?

Pau Cubarsi was shown a straight red card in the 20th minute for a last-man foul on Vangelis Pavlidis.

4. How did Wojciech Szczesny perform?

Szczesny was outstanding, making several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet for Barcelona.

5. When is the second leg of Barcelona vs Benfica?

The return leg will be played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in two weeks.

Final Thoughts

Barcelona’s hard-fought Champions League victory over Benfica showcased their defensive resilience and ability to win even under difficult circumstances. With a 1-0 lead, the Blaugrana are in a great position, but they will need another strong performance in the second leg to secure a quarter-final spot.

🔵🔴 Can Barcelona finish the job at home, or will Benfica make a comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Must Read: Madrid derby was insane