In a dramatic first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 matchup, Barcelona secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz on March 5, 2025. Despite being reduced to ten players early in the game, the Catalan giants showed resilience and determination to take a crucial lead into the second leg.
Early Drama: Red Card for Cubarsi
The match took a dramatic turn in the 22nd minute when Barcelona's teenage defender Pau Cubarsi was given a straight red card for a last-man foul on Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis. This left Barcelona with a daunting task, but they managed to regroup and defend solidly against Benfica's attacks.
Szczesny's Heroics
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was the star of the show, pulling off a series of brilliant saves to keep Barcelona in the game. His heroics began just seconds into the match with a one-handed save against Kerem Akturkoglu, and he continued to deny Benfica throughout the game, including a stunning reflex save to block Fredrik Aursnes' close-range effort.
Raphinha's Winner
The decisive moment came in the 61st minute when Raphinha capitalized on a poor defensive pass across the Benfica box. He fired a low strike that deflected off a defender and into the net, securing a vital win for Barcelona.
Tactical Adjustments
After the red card, Barcelona adjusted their tactics to focus on defense. They remained compact and used quick transitions to catch Benfica off guard. The introduction of Ferran Torres early in the second half also helped shift Raphinha to the right, providing additional support and flexibility to their attack.
Key Stats and Moments
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Possession: Benfica dominated with over 60% possession but failed to convert their chances into goals.
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Shots on Target: Barcelona managed just one shot on target, which was Raphinha's winning goal.
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Standout Performers: Szczesny's saves and Raphinha's goal were the highlights of the match.
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Controversies: The red card for Cubarsi and a disputed penalty call for Benfica added to the drama.
What’s Next?
With this narrow victory, Barcelona heads into the second leg with a crucial advantage. However, they will need to improve their defensive solidity and capitalize on scoring opportunities to progress further in the competition. For Benfica, it's a tough task ahead, but they have shown they can create chances and will look to exploit Barcelona's vulnerabilities in the return leg.
This match showcased the resilience and tactical acumen of Barcelona, who, despite being down a man, managed to secure a vital away win. As the Champions League heats up, this result sets the stage for an exciting second leg.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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