The UEFA Champions League is heating up as FC Barcelona faced off against SL Benfica for the first leg of the round of 16. The match, held at the iconic Estádio da Luz, kicked off with immediate intensity on March 5, 2025, drawing passionate support from both fan bases. Even before the whistle blew for half-time, the tension was palpable as the excitement of the Champions League roster promised and delivered.
?Barcelona, coming off their previous victory over Benfica with a score of 4-5, hoped to replicate their past success, though the opening played out differently than the teams anticipated. The frenetic pace started with scoring chances for both teams. Goalkeepers Wojciech Szczęsny and Anatoliy Trubin quickly became stars. Szczęsny, displaying agility, kept the score level with superb saves. His counterpart, Trubin, was equally impressive, thwarting shots from Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, and veteran Robert Lewandowski.
Yet the match took a drastic turn within the first half. Pau Cubarsí, the young defender for Barcelona, was shown a direct red card just 22 minutes in. The call followed his aggressive foul on Pavlidis, who was on course to score following a well-placed pass. The referee, Felix Zwayer, deemed Cubarsí’s actions too severe to allow him to continue, expelling him from the match and leaving Barcelona down to ten men. The decision prompted lengthy VAR deliberations but was upheld, emphasizing the impact of the foul as it occurred outside the area, preventing the awarding of a penalty but still detracting heavily from Barça’s chances.
According to sports analyst Iturralde González, the red card was evident. “The red is clear,” he stated, emphasizing Cubarsí's recklessness. Fellow commentator Dani Garrido supported the view, describing the foul as reckless and deserving of expulsion. The controversy fueled debates among fans, with many pointing to potential retaliatory calls against Benfica’s Barreiro, who received only a yellow card for his challenge on Iñigo Martínez later in the match, with other Barcelona players appealing for the same harsh punishment for Barreiro.
This expulsion drastically altered Barcelona's tactical setup and forced coach Hansi Flick to re-strategize. The substitution came quickly as Ronald Araújo replaced Dani Olmo, setting up the team to fortify their defense. Azuisgranas had entered the fixture with the plan to control possession through their midfield talents—Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Olmo—but the early red card demanded they adapt.
Hansi Flick acknowledged the challenges the team faced after Cubarsí's dismissal. “After the 22nd minute with ten players, it was remarkable to see the performance,” Flick remarked following the match. He highlighted the strategic shift needed to maintain composure and focus after losing numerical strength and also praised the defensive work done, especially by Szczęsny, who recorded eight saves—an incredible contribution under the circumstances.
Raphinha stepped up and took charge during this challenging phase of the game. The Brazilian winger, known for his skill and pace, not only helped orchestrate the transition from defense to attack but also scored the game’s sole goal. His ninth strike of the Champions League season, Raphinha's decisive finish came as he capitalized on significant defensive lapses from Benfica, immediately diminishing the crowd's confidence.
Following his goal, Raphinha expressed pride both for the team and the performance. “I’m very proud. After the 22nd it's great to see how well the team reacted,” he stated, embodying the resolve displayed throughout the match. The challenge of performing under duress proved to be the catalysts for Raphinha and the team, claiming victory against the odds.
The atmosphere at Estádio da Luz, known for its electrifying energy, turned hostile as tensions flared between players and supporters. The high stakes of the Champions League were evident as fireworks disrupted the flow, causing the game to pause for two minutes. Even with setbacks, the courage shown by the visitors seemed to catch the Benfica fans off-guard.
Reflecting on his team’s effort, Szczęsny highlighted the importance of adapting to Cubarsí's expulsion: “We understood what we needed to do after the red card. We played compact, limiting counter-attacks, which showed we can win and exhibit the other facets of our game.” This victory turned the dangerous tide of the match, ensuring Barcelona kept pace with aspirations to advance.
Despite the win, Cubarsí now faces repercussions as he will miss the return leg scheduled for March 11, 2025, at Olímpico de Montjuïc, where tensions could boil again when Benfica visits. Flick and the squad will need to devise plans to fortify their defense amid this absence, but abundant data from this match reinforce the need for resilience at the highest levels of competition.
With all support behind them, Barcelona head forward with confidence, ready to embrace the challenges of the return leg, facing the pressure of the Champions League head-on. The match defined the grit of Flick’s team, who will leverage this experience as they navigate the high stakes of elite football.