Barcelona achieves incredible comeback over Benfica and is in the round of 16
The Spanish team was losing 4-2 until the 32nd minute of the second half; the game had errors from both goalkeepers, three penalties and a hat-trick from Pavlidis, from Benfica
Summary
Barcelona pulled off an incredible 5-4 comeback victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz, after trailing 4-2 until the 32nd minute of the second half, and secured a place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League with one round to spare. Brazilian Raphinha, who scored the decisive goal in the last play of the match in the 50th minute, was the hero of a crazy game, marked by mistakes from both goalkeepers, an own goal, an unintentional goal (also by Raphinha), three penalties and a hat-trick from Greek Vangelis Pavlidis, scored in the first half and practically overshadowed by Barça’s comeback in the final stage.
GUARANTEED RATING
The victory kept Barcelona in second place in the first phase of the Champions League, three points behind leaders Liverpool. With 18 points, Barça has already mathematically secured its place among the top eight, which will qualify directly for the round of 16. Benfica is in 18th place, with ten points, and could lose more positions in the remainder of the seventh round, and will fight to make the playoffs – it needs to stay up to 24th place. In the last round, on the 29th, Barça will host Atalanta, and Benfica will play against Juventus, away.
MADNESS REHEARSAL IN THE 1ST HALF
The first half had two standout players, for better or for worse. Greek Vangelis Pavlidis only needed half an hour to score his first hat-trick for Benfica and give the Portuguese team a good lead. Two of these goals came from mistakes by Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Benfica, or rather Pavlidis, opened the scoring in the first minute, taking advantage of a great cross from Carreras, another standout player in the first half. Lewandowski equalized in the 12th minute, from the penalty spot, but in the 21st minute Szczesny blocked a pass, collided with Baldé outside the area and left Pavlidis free to score the second. The goalkeeper then conceded a penalty, which the Greek converted in the 29th minute.
