Barcelona delivered a dazzling first-half display to dispatch Benfica 3-1 (4-1 on aggregate) and book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were in sensational form, leading the Catalans to a comfortable victory at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 11th minute, tapping in after Yamal weaved past defenders to provide a perfect assist. However, Benfica responded almost immediately, with Nicolas Otamendi rising highest to head home from a corner. Despite the brief setback, Barça quickly regained control, and Yamal restored their lead with a breathtaking goal. The 17-year-old cut inside from the right before curling a stunning strike past Anatoliy Trubin.
Before halftime, Raphinha doubled his tally, finishing off a brilliant counter-attack led by Alejandro Balde. The full-back sprinted the length of the pitch before teeing up the Brazilian, whose effort was initially ruled offside but later confirmed by VAR.
The second half saw fewer chances, as Barcelona managed the game efficiently. Benfica thought they had pulled one back through Fredrik Aursnes, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Frenkie de Jong came close to adding a fourth for the hosts, but his effort went just wide.
With this dominant performance, Hansi Flick’s side marches into the quarter-finals, where they will face either Borussia Dortmund or Lille. Before that, they turn their attention to La Liga, where a crucial clash against Atlético Madrid awaits on Sunday.
Barcelona delivered a dazzling first-half display to dispatch Benfica 3-1 (4-1 on aggregate) and book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were in sensational form, leading the Catalans to a comfortable victory at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.