FC Barcelona has taken significant strides toward the Champions League quarter-finals after overcoming Benfica 1-0 on Wednesday night, March 5, 2025, at the Estadio da Luz. The victory was hard-earned, particularly as Barcelona played with only ten men for more than half the match following Pau Cubarsí's red card.
The defining moment came early when Cubarsí received his marching orders for pulling down Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis as the last man during the 22nd minute. Despite the challenging circumstances, Barcelona displayed exceptional resilience. Raphinha emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal just after the hour mark, taking advantage of a sloppy pass from Benfica’s Antonio Silva to find the net.
Barcelona's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny was instrumental throughout the match. The veteran produced a series of impressive saves, finishing with eight key stops, including one against Fredrik Aursnes and another against Renato Sanches, which underscored his importance to the team. Notably, Szczęsny has returned from retirement after Marc-André ter Stegen's knee injury last September, and his performance on this night has solidified his place as a seasoned shot-stopper.
“Szczęsny saved us many times today, he is outstanding,” remarked Barcelona midfielder Pedri, highlighting Szczęsny's pivotal role. “You have to give a lot of credit for the team’s effort after going a man down so early. On other days, it has been harder for us, but today we hung on and defended really well.”
The match began with both teams displaying caution, leading to a tightly contested first half. Barcelona's closest chance before the red card occurred when Robert Lewandowski was denied by Benfica goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin's spectacular save. The game's dynamics shifted when Cubarsí was sent off, forcing Barcelona to adopt defensive strategies.
Following the expulsion, Barcelona adapted well to their new reality on the pitch. Their tenacity shined through as they tightened their defense and gradually began to threaten Benfica’s goal, even when facing sustained pressure from their opponents. Raphinha's goal was not only the culmination of Barcelona's efforts but also came from their first shot on target of the second half at the 61-minute mark.
Throughout the latter stages of the match, Benfica maintained over 60% possession and initiated 15 attempts at the goal. Yet they struggled to convert their chances. The superlative performances from Szczęsny kept Barcelona's slender lead intact, exemplifying the adage about goalkeepers being key to managing the game's flow.
“It’s a bad result; we had good chances today, especially when they got the red card… It’s very disappointing,” lamented Aursnes after the match. Focus now shifts to the second leg at Estadi Olímpic, where Barcelona will aim to capitalize on their hard-earned advantage. The Catalans will be able to field their full squad, which could play a significant role as they pursue the coveted Champions League trophy.
Barcelona has certainly lived up to their prestigious reputation, demonstrating grit and determination against the odds. Following sensational performances and cohesion under pressure, they have positioned themselves well for success. Coach Hansi Flick and his team can take comfort from this strong showing as they prepare for the return fixture next week.