FC Barcelona qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 win over Benfica at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. With a 4-1 aggregate score, Hansi Flick's team sealed a tie in which they dominated and showed their best version, driven by the outstanding performances of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. In a match where the fans were also present with emotional dedications, Barça made it clear that they are ready to fight for everything in Europe.
A Dynamic Start And the Magic of Yamal
From the first minute, the match had an intense rhythm. Benfica came out determined to press high, but Barcelona soon imposed their style. Pedri, with his vision, and Yamal, with his overflow, created the first clear-cut chances. A deflected shot from Lewandowski and a shot from Yamal that forced goalkeeper Trubin to intervene were the first signs.
Barça's insistence was rewarded when Yamal, with a brilliant individual play, left his marker behind and accurately assisted Raphinha, who scored first to open the scoring. The goal brought peace of mind, but Benfica responded immediately. From a well-taken corner, Nicolás Otamendi appeared unmarked and with an accurate shot tied the match, reminding that the tie was still open.
The equalizer did not change Barcelona's approach. With patience and ball control, the team searched for space until Yamal decided to take the lead. He recovered a ball on the wing, faced his defender and took a shot with effect that slipped into the corner, leaving Trubin with no options. With this stunning goal, the young talent not only restored the lead, but also demonstrated his enormous quality.
Control And Effectiveness To Close The Playoffs
Benfica tried to react, but Barcelona kept control. With possession in their favor, they avoided any attempt to surprise and kept looking to widen the gap. Before the break, a great collective play ended with another goal by Raphinha, who with a cross shot put the score at 3-1. This goal not only gave peace of mind, but also consolidated the Brazilian as one of the top scorers of the tournament.
In the second half, Benfica needed a quick goal to keep their chances, but Barça did not allow any concessions. From the restart, Flick's team prioritized ball control, closing spaces and managing the tempo of the match. Although the Portuguese side tried to press, they were met with a well-organized defense and a midfield that did not lose its balance.
The clearest chances again fell to the home side. Frenkie de Jong came close to extending the lead after a great counter-attacking move, but his shot failed to find the target. Lewandowski also had a chance to score, but Trubin saved the fourth goal with a good save.
Crucial derby in the round of 16 of the #ChampionsLeague!#RealMadrid visits #Atleti at the Metropolitano, where they scored at least 1 goal in their last 4 visits, but remain winless since 2022.
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- Betcris (@Betcris) March 12, 2025
A Closing Without A Surprise And A Message of Unity
With the tie all but settled, Barcelona played the final minutes intelligently, avoiding any unnecessary risks. The fans at Montjuïc, who responded with a large turnout despite the late kick-off time, accompanied the team until the last minute, reminding them of the importance of the moment.
The final whistle confirmed the pass to the quarterfinals and closed a great night for the blaugranas. In addition to the victory, the team dedicated the win to the late Dr. Carles Miñarro, showing once again that unity within the locker room continues to be a fundamental pillar.
Barcelona now awaits its opponent in the next round, with the confidence of having signed a solid qualifying round and to continue growing in the competition. With brilliant performances by Yamal and Raphinha, the team has shown that it can compete against anyone in this Champions League.
