A Night Defined by Wojciech Szczesny: Benfica Falter Despite Numerical Advantage

Some matches become the stuff of legend for a goalkeeper—when his team seems destined to lose, yet his heroics turn the tide and inspire everyone around him. That’s exactly how it played out for Wojciech Szczesny and Barcelona against Benfica in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League clash.

After Kubarsi was sent off as early as the 22nd minute, Barcelona were forced to soldier on a man down. Sensing weakness, Benfica launched wave after wave of attacks, carving out plenty of chances before halftime. Time and again, though, Wojciech Szczesny rescued the visitors with his pinpoint saves and fearless command of the box.

The hosts’ relentless pressure continued after the break, but it was their own defensive lapse that proved decisive. Rafinha seized on a moment of confusion at the back to blast the ball home, nestling it under the crossbar beyond the reach of Anatoliy Trubin. Stunned, Benfica poured forward in desperate search of an equalizer, only to find Wojciech Szczesny in imperious form. The more he saved, the more the home side’s nerves took over—until, with the final whistle, Benfica were left to ponder a frustrating defeat despite their “one-man advantage.”

It’s far from over, though. In a week’s time, these two teams will square off again on Barcelona’s home turf. With everything still on the line, don’t be surprised if this dramatic duel has yet another twist or two before the final chapter is written.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Benfica - Barcelona 0:1 (0:0)
Goals: Raphinha, 61 (0:1)

Benfica: Trubin; Araújo T. (Dahl, 58); Otamendi; Silva A.; Fernandez Ál.; Barreiro L. (Belotti, 70); Kökçü (Sanches R., 84); Pavlidis E. (Cabral, 84); Schjelderup (Rego Joao, 70); Aursnes; Aktürkoglu
Bench: Soares S.; Bajrami Adrian; Leandro Santos; Prioste; Felix N.; Prestianni; Sequeira Hugo
Yellow Cards: Silva A. 45; Barreiro L. 45; Fernandez Ál. 73; Rego Joao 90

Barcelona: Szczesny; Balde Al.; Cubarsí (till 22); Kounde; Martinez In.; de Jong F. (Martín, 79); Olmo (Araujo R., 28); Raphinha; Yamal (Torres F., 56); Lewandowski (Casado M., 79); Pedri
Bench: Kochen Diego; Peña I.; Garcia E.; Fort H.; Torre P.; Fermin; Pau Victor; Fati An.
Yellow Cards: Martinez In. 45
Red cards: Cubarsí 22'