Barcelona Cruises Past Benfica to Reach Champions League Quarterfinals
Barcelona became the first team to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals for the 2024/2025 season, defeating Benfica with relative ease. After a 1-0 away win in the first leg, the Catalans were in control, and the return leg at Camp Nou only solidified their dominance.
Despite a spirited start from Benfica, who quickly equalized after Barcelona's early goal, the Portuguese side struggled to maintain their intensity. Barcelona executed their game plan flawlessly, lulling Benfica into a false sense of security before striking with precision.
The star of the night was Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation who orchestrated and scored Barcelona's second goal. Raphinha added a third one late in the match, putting the result beyond doubt. As Yamal was substituted, the Camp Nou faithful rose to their feet, giving the young prodigy a well-deserved standing ovation.
2024-25 UEFA Champions League
Barcelona - Benfica 3:1 (3:1)
Goals: Raphinha, 11 (1:0); Otamendi, 13 (1:1); Yamal, 27 (2:1); Raphinha, 42 (3:1)
Barcelona: Szczesny; Araujo R.; Balde Al.; Kounde; Martinez In. (Garcia E., 87); de Jong F. (Casado M., 81); Olmo (Gavi, 70); Raphinha; Yamal (Fermin, 81); Lewandowski (Torres F., 69); Pedri
Bench: Kochen Diego; Peña I.; Martín; Fort H.; Torre P.; Pau Victor; Fati An.
Benfica: Trubin; Araújo T. (Rego Joao, 84); Dahl; Otamendi; Silva A.; Kökçü (Belotti, 70); Pavlidis E.; Florentino (Barreiro L., 70); Schjelderup (Amdouni, 56); Aursnes; Aktürkoglu (Sanches R., 56)
Bench: Soares S.; Bajrami Adrian; Leandro Santos; Oliveira; Felix N.; Prestianni; Cabral
Yellow Cards: Silva A. 48
