Rafinha Diaz, the winger for Barcelona, has continued to impress on the European stage, leading the UEFA Champions League scoring charts following his performance against Benfica during the return leg of their 1/8 final clash on March 11, 2025. The Brazilian opened the scoring early on, taking advantage of his sharp instincts to net his tenth goal of the current campaign just 11 minutes after kick-off.
This goal not only secured the lead for Barcelona but also solidified Rafinha’s position at the top of the tournament's goal-scoring leaderboard, where he shares the spotlight with Borussia Dortmund’s Seru Girassi, who has also scored ten goals. Trailing them are the formidable players Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona and Harry Kane from Bayern Munich, both of whom have netted nine goals this season.
Despite Barcelona taking control early, Benfica fought back quickly, equalizing with the efforts of their defender Nicolas Otamendi. The match was certainly tense, featuring swift exchanges of momentum between the teams. The match was not just about individual performances, but also tactical brilliance on the pitch.
Recalling their previous encounter, the first leg of this knockout round had concluded favorably for Barcelona, finishing 1-0 at Benfica’s home ground just a week earlier on March 4, 2025. This led to heightened expectations as they met again at Camp Nou.
Back on the pitch, the game picked up speed with both squads showing determination and aggressive plays right from the beginning. By the 13th minute, the scoreboard reflected both teams’ capabilities as they exchanged goals, with Rafinha’s initial strike being matched by Benfica’s defense's attempts to rally.
Then came perhaps the standout moment of the match, one fueled by sheer talent and creativity. Yamal, another rising star of Barcelona, dazzled on the field and managed to score what many would describe as the perfect goal shortly after Rafinha’s opener. This led to Barcelona taking control of the match, leaving the fans buzzing with anticipation and excitement.
Barcelona’s relentless pressure continued, culminating with another goal before halftime. On the 43rd minute, Rafinha found the net once again, adding to the tally and pushing Barcelona’s lead to 3-1, effectively sealing the match and the aggregate score at 4-1. This combination of skill and teamwork showcases how Barcelona’s attacking front is thoroughly equipped for European challenges.
The victory sees Barcelona advancing confidently to the quarter-finals of the prestigious UEFA Champions League, and the victory could serve as motivation as they prepare for future matches. LiveResult.ru documented this thrilling encounter, emphasizing Rafinha’s spectacular form throughout the tournament, stating, "Rafinha opened the scoring on the 11th minute, confirming his status as the top scorer of the tournament alongside Borussia Dortmund's Seru Girassi."
All eyes will undoubtedly remain on Rafinha and the rest of the Barcelona squad as they look toward their next opponents, bringing the excitement and intensity of the Champions League to fans around the world. With performances like this, Barcelona not only looks poised to compete but potentially dominate the remainder of this European campaign.