On January 21, 2023, in one of the most thrilling matches of the UEFA Champions League this season, Barcelona demonstrated resilience and attacking flair to overturn Benfica's early lead, clinching a hard-fought victory of 5-4 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.
From the opening minute, it was clear this match would be one for the history books. Vangelis Pavlidis, the standout forward for Benfica, found the back of the net just two minutes in, capitalizing on a cross from Álvaro Carreras to stun the visitors and put the Portuguese side up 1-0.
Barcelona quickly responded, earning a penalty thanks to Gavi's impressive run, which led to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny's foul. Robert Lewandowski, the Polish striker known for his clinical finishing, converted the penalty kick at the 13-minute mark, leveling the score at 1-1.
But Benfica wasn't done. Pavlidis struck again at the 22nd minute, displaying exceptional finishing skills, and soon after netted his third goal from the penalty spot, awarded after Szczęsny committed another foul. It was 3-1 before the half, as Pavlidis achieved the remarkable feat of scoring three goals within the first half-hour—a feat not seen frequently at this level.
Barcelona's defense struggled, caught off guard by the relentless attacks, which included another own goal from Ronald Araújo at the 68th minute, stretching Benfica's lead to 4-2. Yet, this seemed to awaken the Catalan giants.
The turning point came with Lewandowski’s second penalty of the match, which he slotted home at 78 minutes, narrowing the deficit to 4-3. A wave of momentum shifted toward Barcelona as they relentlessly pressured Benfica's faltering defense.
By the 86th minute, the suspense reached its peak when Eric Garcia equalized, skillfully finishing after receiving the ball from Pedri. The score was now tied 4-4, and it seemed like the match was destined for a dramatic conclusion.
But the drama wasn’t over yet. Deep in stoppage time, Raphinha made his mark, receiving a breakaway pass and slotting it decisively past the Benfica goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, at the sixth minute of added time. The Barcelona bench erupted as they took the lead for the first time at 5-4.
This victory was monumental for Barcelona, solidifying their position within the top ranks of the Champions League standings. Following this match, they sit comfortably with 18 points, significantly boosting their confidence heading to the next round.
Benfica's disappointing loss not only saw them drop points but required them to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming match against Juventus, scheduled for January 29, 2023.
The thrilling back-and-forth play, mistakes from key goalkeepers, and decisive moments showcased the unpredictable yet exhilarating nature of football, leaving fans and pundits buzzing about what they might expect from these teams moving forward.