Benfica v Barcelona live - amazing Barcelona comeback takes them to the brink of qualification

Champions League / League Phase

Estádio da Luz / 21.01.2025

Benfica

Finished

FC Barcelona

V. Pavlidis(2', 22', 30' PEN)
R. Araújo(68' O.G)

R. Lewandowski(13' PEN, 78' PEN)
Raphinha(64', 90+6')
E. García(86')

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RAPHINHA STRIKES LATE TO WIN OUTRAGEOUS GAME

A goal from Raphinha in the sixth minute of injury time completed an incredible comeback to give Barcelona an improbable win in an unbelievable game.

In so doing, they assured their qualification for the last 16; Benfica still have a good chance of making the knockout playoffs.

Benfica took the lead on two minutes, Vangelis Pavlidis finishing adroitly. And though Robert Lewandowski soon equalised, with half an hour gone Pavlidis had a hat-trick, finishing from close range after a dreadful error by Wojciech Szczesny, then converting a penalty after an unnecessary foul by the same man.

The second half featured more of the same: frantic attacking, desperate defending and breathless tempo. Barcelona halved the deficit in slapstick manner, Anatoliy Trubin's goalkick cracking Raphinha in the head and flying back past him on 64 minutes.

But it was not 3-2 for long, Rolando Araujo's own goal restoring Benfica's two-goal advantage on 68. It was clear that the scoring was not finished, but quite how not finished was still shocking.

On 78 minutes, Lewandowski converted another penalty following a needless foul on Lamine Yamal. Then, on 86, Eric Garcia headed home Pedri's teasing cross for 4-4.

And then, as Benfica pressed frantically for a winner, appealing for two penalties in the melee following a free-kick – VAR denied what looked two good shouts – one pass from Ferran Torres sent Raphinha in on goal. He finished calmly to spark wild celebrations at the end of a minor classic.

'Can you believe that?' - Raphinha scores last-gasp winner for Barca after Benfica howl for penalty

Video credit: TNT Sports

'They've rescued it!' - Dramatic Garcia header catches Benfica sleeping for 4-4

Video credit: TNT Sports

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BRUNO LAGE WAS ABSOLUTELY RAGING AT HIS PLAYERS

Giving them what for in front of everyone. He couldn't wait!

BUT DEARIE ME

What a game of association football that was. Both sides absolutely went for it, and the beautiful chaos that is every bit as much the beautiful game as beautiful football, gave us minor classic.

HOW IT LEAVES THINGS

Barcelona are second in the table, three ahead of Atletico in second, three behind Liverpool in first. They're into the last 16.

Benfica, meanwhile, are 18th, so still in with a decent chance of a last-32 playoff. They might, though, need a result away to Juentus next week.

22:02

FULL TIME: BENFICA 4-5 BARCELONA

An absolute hoot - unless you're Benfica. Ludicrous goals, brilliant football, dreadful defending, manic pace, a mystifying finish. Brilliant stuff!

THE CHECK IS OVER AND THE GOAL STANDS!

I've not seen the action again but I think Szczesny was late on Barreiro. I could understand if it was given, but it wasn't, and the ref isn't called to have another look.

90+4'

FC Barcelona

90+4'

GOAL! BENFICA 4-5 BARCELONA (RAPHINHA)

KJNDJOAOIUBHASDFJKBFS! Raphinha takes the ball from halfway, cuts inside, then sends a finish back the other way, through the defender with the keeper unsighted! Barca have won it ... unless there's a penalty given for the to-do that preceded it at the other end! This is some of the maddest antics i've ever ever seen!

BENFICA PUMP INTO THE BOX

There are two shouts for penalties then Barca clear, one pass from Ferran and Raphinha is in!

90+3'

SZCZESNY MAKES A GOOD SAVE

Bailing out a poor backpass from Garcia. Barcelona then break but can't make anything of it, then Carreras makes another dash downfield so De Jong upends him and is booked. Last chance for something...

90+3'

BENFICA MIGHT'VE TAKEN A DRAW THIS AFTERNOON

But they'll be feeling ill with one now.

90+1'

IT'S A LONG WAY OUT

And Raphinha wafts over the bar.

90'

WE SHALL HAVE FOUR ADDED MINUTES

I'd have taken longer. But Barca have a free-kick, Torres' nice touch allowing him to absorb a foul.

'Have you ever seen a goal like that?' - Trubin's 'unbelievable' error gifts Barca a second

Video credit: TNT Sports

88'

88'

BARCELONA CHASE A WINNER

Of course they do. Lamine's shot is blocked by Amdouni, Barca win a corner when another effort is blocked, Benfica clear, and oh my complete and utter days, Di Maria is in! But Szczesny does well to narrow the angle – which isn't to excuse a poor finish, into the keeper's heels.

86'

FC Barcelona

86'

GOAL! BENFICA 4-4 BARCELONA (GARCIA)

The corner goes short and Benfica aren't paying attention, letting Pedri gets nearer the box, whereupon hie flights a gorgeous ball to the back post, where Garcia is able to cushion in a header. What a gloriously absurd game of football this is – and it's not finished yet!

84'

BARCA MOVE IT TO THE EDGE OF THE BENFICA BOX

And Silva waheys ball into man then celebrates like he's prevented a certain goal.

81'

BARCA KNOCK IT ABOUT AND GET RAPHINHA IN BEHIND

But Otamendi slides in, makes a brilliant block, and Benfica get the corner away.

80'

JOE COLE ON THE RAPHINHA GOAL

"It's a freak goal - or we've seen one of the best headers of all time. I don't think he meant it. It's been a wild night for goalkeepers."

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