FC Barcelona secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with an impressive 3-1 victory over Benfica at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on March 11, 2025. This result brought the aggregate score to 4-1 after Barcelona had edged the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon the previous week.
The match began with emotional weight as Barcelona held a minute's silence for their late club doctor, Dr. Carles Miñarro. This poignant moment underscored the significance of the match for the team, who were determined to honor his memory with a strong performance.
Things kicked off dramatically when Barcelona’s Raphinha opened the scoring just 11 minutes in. The Brazilian forward executed a superb volley after receiving the ball from young prodigy Lamine Yamal, leaving Benfica's defender scrambling. Yet, the lead was short-lived as Nicolas Otamendi headed home just two minutes later from a corner, leveling the match at 1-1 and briefly stifling the Catalans' momentum.
Midway through the first half, Barcelona regained control. Youngster Yamal, who had already shown promise, scored one of the night’s standout goals, curling the ball beautifully past the Benfica goalkeeper to make it 2-1. By the 42nd minute, Raphinha struck again, effectively sealing the match for Barcelona. His second goal was initially ruled offside but revalidated by VAR, sending the aggregate score to 4-1.
With Barcelona clearly on the front foot, they not only dominated possession but also showcased superior attacking firepower throughout the match. They recorded 12 shots, of which six were on target, compared to Benfica’s lone shot on target from just one attempt. Barcelona's expected goals (xG) tally of 1.34 far exceeded Benfica's 0.41, illustrating their attacking prowess and efficiency.
Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, commented on the performance, particularly praising Raphinha's form—who has been pivotal this season—and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny for his reliability. "He’s a mature, experienced keeper who brings us a lot of confidence," Flick said. Raphinha has not only scored but has also contributed significantly with assists, emphasizing his importance to the squad.
On the other side, Benfica's president, Rui Costa, expressed optimism even after the defeat, stating, "We believe in our ability to turn this tie around." Despite this confidence, Benfica faced significant challenges with injuries and suspensions, which left them without key players including Ángel Di María and Álvaro Carreras. Head coach Bruno Lage conveyed similar sentiments: "Nothing is decided yet. Everything is still possible," emphasizing the need for resilience.
This victory marks Barcelona's continuing excellence, as they have been unbeaten in their last eight Champions League matches, with seven wins and just one draw. Their last longer streak came during the 2018-19 season when they were eliminated at the semi-finals by Liverpool.
Looking at the stats, Barcelona's passing accuracy was also impressive, maintained at over 88%, indicative of their effective ball control and movement. The team moved fluidly and consistently threatened the Benfica defense, which struggled to contain Barcelona's relentless attacking style.
Following the match, Barcelona fans surely left the stadium buoyed by their team’s performance, as they anticipate their next opponents in the quarter-finals. Having consistently demonstrated their dominance over Benfica—who have never won against Barcelona away from home—it appears the Catalan giants are rightfully positioned as strong contenders for the title.
The night encapsulated Barcelona's fighting spirit, not only on the pitch but also symbolically representing their ability to rise above challenges, like the loss of their beloved doctor. Such determination to succeed and the gathered strength from tribulation will surely characterize Barcelona as they push forward in their Champions League campaign.
Your next chance to see Barcelona compete will be eagerly anticipated as they aim to continue their winning form and close the chapter yet again on another thrilling UEFA Champions League run.