Barcelona displayed grit and determination as they edged past Benfica 1-0 in a tense UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg encounter at the Estadio da Luz. The Catalans, reduced to ten men in the first half, showed defensive resilience and capitalized on a rare Benfica mistake to secure a crucial away victory.
Benfica’s Early Onslaught and Trubin’s Heroics
The match ignited instantly as Benfica nearly capitalized on a Barcelona mistake straight from kick-off. Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s first-time strike forced Wojciech Szczęsny into a stunning save just 18 seconds into the game. The hosts continued their rapid start, with Leandro Barreiro firing a half-volley over the bar.
Barcelona, however, began to grow into the game. Dani Olmo came close from the edge of the box before Benfica’s Ukrainian shot-stopper Anatoliy Trubin put on a goalkeeping masterclass. He denied Frenkie De Jong from close range, then thwarted Robert Lewandowski from six yards before capping off his triple save by blocking a Lamine Yamal effort. Benfica, sensing Barcelona’s vulnerability, pushed forward but failed to convert their chances.
Barcelona Reduced to Ten, Benfica Fail to Capitalize
The game’s momentum shifted drastically when teenage defender Pau Cubarsí received a red card for bringing down Vangelis Pavlidis as he bore down on goal. Szczęsny once again came to Barcelona’s rescue, saving Orkun Kökçü’s resulting free-kick before denying Aktürkoğlu’s header from point-blank range.
Despite being a man down, Barcelona still created opportunities, with Yamal almost scoring on the stroke of halftime, only for Álvaro Carreras to make a vital intervention for Benfica.
Raphinha’s Moment of Brilliance
With Benfica pushing forward in the second half, Barcelona relied on their defensive organization and quick transitions. Szczęsny continued his fine form, keeping out efforts from Pavlidis and Fredrik Aursnes.
Then came the defining moment of the match. On the hour mark, Raphinha pounced on a costly error from Benfica’s Antonio Silva, raced towards goal, and unleashed a venomous low shot into the bottom corner. The Brazilian’s precise strike gave Barcelona the all-important away goal and left Benfica stunned.
Late Drama as Benfica Push for an Equalizer
Bruno Lage introduced fresh attacking options in pursuit of an equalizer, with Andrea Belotti, Renato Sanches, and Arthur Cabral posing threats. Belotti thought he had won a penalty when Szczęsny brought him down, but VAR ruled him offside in the build-up.
Benfica bombarded Barcelona’s goal in the final moments, yet the Catalans’ resilience proved unbreakable. The ten-man visitors held on, showcasing defensive discipline and determination to take a slim advantage back to the Camp Nou.
What’s Next?
Barcelona will now head back to Spain with a crucial lead, but they know the job is far from done. Benfica, encouraged by their performance, will fancy their chances of turning things around in the second leg. The return fixture promises to be another thrilling encounter as both teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
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