FC Barcelona advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after defeating SL Benfica 3-1 on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. With this victory, the Catalan club secured their place following their 1-0 win over the Portuguese side during the first leg at Estádio da Luz.
The match opened dramatically, with Barcelona's Raphinha scoring the first goal just 11 minutes in. Assisted by Lamine Yamal, Raphinha found the back of the net with precision, sending the home fans roaring with excitement. This early goal set the tone for Barcelona, who were eager to assert their dominance at home.
Benfica, undeterred by the early setback, quickly struck back. Just two minutes later, Nicolás Otamendi capitalized on defensive lapses from the Barcelona backline and headed the ball past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, leveling the score at 1-1 and briefly dampening the home supporters' spirits.
Barcelona, showing resilience, responded swiftly. Lamine Yamal, who showcased his immense talent, restored his team's lead with a spectacular goal at 27 minutes. After evading defenders, Yamal sent a stunning shot curling beyond the reach of Benfica's goalkeeper, Dmitry Trubin.
Raphinha wasn’t done yet; just before halftime, he struck again, securing his second goal and giving Barcelona a comfortable 3-1 lead. Raphinha's shot, via Baldé's assist, was another confident display, marking a spectacular first-half performance from the team.
The second half saw Benfica pressing for redemption but failing to convert their chances. They aimed for another comeback, attempting to exploit any Barcelona defensive frailty. Yet, the Catalan club held firm and maintained their grip on the game through strategic ball possession and organized defense.
With Benfica unable to penetrate the solid Barcelona defense, the match wound down with the hosts maintaining their lead. The final whistle confirmed Barcelona's progression to the next round of the Champions League, where they now await the winner of the duel between Lille OSC and Borussia Dortmund.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, and the Barcelona supporters expressed their satisfaction with their team’s performance. Barcelona's coach reflected on the match, stating, "We are satisfied with how we played today; the team showed great character." Meanwhile, Benfica’s coach acknowledged his team’s efforts yet conceded, "We gave it our best shot, but it wasn't enough."
This victory reinforces Barcelona's status as one of the tournament's formidable teams after solidifying their position as one of its favorites for the title. Meanwhile, Benfica, after putting up a spirited fight, saw their Champions League campaign come to an end.
Aside from Barcelona, other teams also made significant strides on the same night in other matches. Inter Milan and Bayern Munich have likewise confirmed their entries to the quarter-finals. Bayern dominated Bayer Leverkusen, achieving aggregate scores of 5-0 over both legs. Inter, showcasing their form, eliminated Feyenoord with 4-1 over two legs.
These results mark compelling phases of this year’s UEFA Champions League, promising thrilling matchups as top European teams head to the quarter-finals.