With 3 Goals In 18 Minutes, How Barcelona Produced Epic Champions League Fightback. Watch

FC Barcelona staged a sensational comeback towards Portuguese giants Benfica to safe direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. 2-4 down within the seventy fifth minute, Barcelona scored three targets within the ultimate 20 minutes of the sport to finish a exceptional turnaround. In-form Brazilian winger Raphinha starred as soon as once more, scoring twice, together with a dramatic 96th-minute winner, whereas Robert Lewandowksi additionally bagged a brace. The win places Hansi Flick’s males in second spot within the Champions League desk.

Barcelona began on a horrible notice, conceding a second minute aim, as Benfica’s Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis struck.

While Lewandowski did equalise from the penalty spot 10 minutes later, fortunes received worse for Barcelona in the remainder of the primary half.

Pavlidis took benefit from an error by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to attain into an empty internet and make it 2-1. Soon after, Pavlidis accomplished a memorable hattrick, changing from the spot and leaving the guests 3-1 down inside the primary half an hour.

Watch: Barcelona’s sensational comeback vs Benfica

Barcelona got here again from 4 targets to win .

All targets spotlight right here pic.twitter.com/JeCXADafMc

— SHAYEE (@tier_firstt) January 21, 2025

Raphinha equalised within the sixty fourth minute as he intercepted a poor aim kick by Benfica to go dwelling, but it surely appeared like a comeback was to not be when Ronald Araujo conceded an personal aim, leaving Barcelona 2-4 down.

But the dramatic encounter had extra surprises, which kickstarted with one other penalty, as Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot within the 78th minute.

In the 86th minute, Eric Garcia headed dwelling a fragile Pedri cross, drawing Barcelona stage at 4-4 with 4 minutes of regulation time to go.

And the comeback was concluded within the 96th minute. Despite solely 4 minutes of stoppage time added, Barcelona had been allowed to play on in a counter assault from a Benfica nook. Raphinha was despatched via on the fitting flank, however maintained unbelievable composure to chop inside and slot dwelling the dramatic winner.

Barcelona, thereby, grew to become the second workforce to make sure their Round of 16 place after Liverpool.