Barcelona extended their unbeaten Champions League run with a dramatic 5-4 comeback win over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.
The match started poorly for Barcelona as Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring for Benfica, converting a pinpoint cross from Álvaro Carreras.
Barcelona quickly responded when Robert Lewandowski equalized from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Alejandro Balde.
Despite regaining control, Barcelona fell behind again. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, making his first Champions League appearance for the club, gifted Pavlidis a second goal.
The Greek striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot following another error from Szczesny.
Barcelona clawed their way back with Raphinha scoring a bizarre goal off a deflected clearance and Lewandowski converting his second penalty of the night.
Ronald Araújo’s own goal briefly restored Benfica’s two-goal advantage before Eric Garcia’s header leveled the score at 4-4.
The dramatic encounter reached its climax when Raphinha scored a late winner on the counterattack, silencing the home crowd and securing a memorable comeback for Barcelona.
Trailing 4-2 with just 15 minutes remaining, Barcelona’s resolve earned them all three points, securing a spot in the tournament’s last 16.
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