FC Barcelona tonight meet Portuguese giants Benfica in order to determine who progresses into the Champions League last-16. Barca, of course, won the first leg in Lisbon last week, edging a tight game thanks to a strike from the increasingly talismanic Raphinha.
Indeed, Hansi Flick’s side had it tough. Pau Cubarsi was sent off during the opening exchanges and is duly suspended for the return leg tonight. Still, having weathered the storm, the Catalan giants will no doubt feel confident about reaching the final eight.
Barca saw their LaLiga meeting with Osasuna postponed on Saturday after the death of club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia. As such, it’s likely to be a hugely emotional occasion inside their temporary home tonight. Benfica aren’t out of it yet but will need to be at their very best to turn things around. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s match blog!
Barcelona vs Benfica latest news
- GOAL! Raphinha puts Barcelona 1-0 up
- GOAL! Otamendi equalises immediately
- GOAL! Yamal with a STUNNER
- GOAL! Raphinha seems to put tie to bed
Full-time | Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:39 , Dom SmithIt’s all over, and Barca are the first team into the last eight of the Champions League. Despite Nicolas Otamendi’s goal, two strikes from the red-hot Raphinha and an extraordinary effort by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal did it for them.
They’ll face Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the next round. Benfica are out.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:37 , Dom Smith90+1’ mins: Two minutes added on here.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:34 , Dom Smith87 mins: Decent chance as Otamendi works his way up the pitch and crosses for Amdouni, but his header is blocked by Kounde and gathered by Szczesny.
Then Eric Garcia comes on for Martinez for Barca. A big applause for Martinez.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:3185 mins: Joao Rego comes on for the final few minutes and replaces Araujo. It’s a change that will surely change very little for Benfica, who are all but out.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:28 , Dom Smith82 mins: Casado and Fermin Lopes come on for Barca and that prompts a standing ovation for Yamal, as he comes off. De Jong is off too. Nine minutes to go in the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:25 , Dom Smith79 mins: There’s a quick VAR penalty check but there’s nothing doing. Hint of a handball but nothing more. Couple of corners in succession for Benfica, but nothing comes of either.
Balde receives from deep and sets off on one of those runs up-field.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:22 , Dom Smith75 mins: Benfica very much chasing shadows as this match approaches its end. Hard to see how they’re going to get themselves one goal, let alone the three they need to force the most improbable period of extra time.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:18 , Dom Smith72 mins:
A double sub for Benfica, too. Berreiro and Belotti are on. Off go Florentino and Kokcu.
Just shy of 20 minutes to go.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:17 , Dom Smith70 mins: Ferran Torres and Gavi are on for fresh legs for the Barcelona. Off go Lewandowski and Olmo, definitely the least effective of Barca’s attackers this evening.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:13 , Dom Smith65 mins: Good chance for Pavlidis, who turns cutely past a couple of players but then fires straight at Szczesny.
You fear for Benfica on the break, though. Every time Barca nick it, they run at their visitors.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:0862 mins: De Jong keeping things ticking over at the base of midfield for Barca, who are strolling into the Champions League last eight.
Balde has been very lively at left-back and is seeking to get free down that flank at every opportunity.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:03 , Dom Smith56 mins: Subs for Benfica, and they need them! Renato Sanches and Zeki Amdouni come on for Akturkoglu and Schjelderup
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
19:00 , Dom Smith54 mins: A noticeable drop-off in the pace of this match since the second-half started. Barcelona look in the mood for more goals every time they go forward, though - eager to put the tie beyond any doubt!
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
18:55 , Dom Smith49 mins: Antonio Silva booked for a foul on Raphinha.
From the resulting free-kick, Araujo goes round the back but can’t steer his header on target.
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
18:52 , Dom SmithKICK OFF: Back under way for the second half.
Second half coming up shortly
18:48 , Dom Smith
HT: Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
18:37 , Dom SmithHalf-time then at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, where Yamal and Raphinha are having an absolute ball. It’s 3-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate.
Are Benfica still in this tie? It feels as though they are in name only...
Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
18:32 , Dom SmithOtamendi has had his yellow card cancelled and taken back.
GOOOAAALLL! Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
18:31 , Dom Smith42 mins: Looks as though Raphinha has put the tie to bed at 4-1 with his second goal of the night, but then the whistle is blown.
Bit of confusion over why.
It then appears the referee has made a bit of a mistake and given Otamendi a yellow card for an earlier free-kick rather than giving the goal. But it appears the VAR has checked the goal and awarded it.
It counts, and Barca appear home and dry.
Barcelona 2-1 Benfica
18:28 , Dom Smith41 mins: Robert Lewandowski has his first seal chance of the night and forces Trubin into a good save.
Parried well by the goalkeeper, who may well have expected to concede to the Pole there, given how close in the striker was!
Barcelona 2-1 Benfica
18:26 , Dom Smith39 mins: Offside flag is expected and doesn’t come, allowing Pavlidis to go on. He strikes the up-right but then the flag arrives.
Just over five minutes to go until the interval, and you sense the visitors could do with that chance to regroup.
Barcelona 2-1 Benfica
18:23 , Dom Smith37 mins: A slightly steadier tempo about Barca now, following that Yamal screamer to give them a little cushion in their lead in the tie.
Barcelona just doing their thing in terms of passing, too. Just the 89 per cent passing accuracy from them...
Barcelona 2-1 Benfica
18:20 , Dom Smith32 mins: That strike was breathtaking from Yamal. He has been sensational tonight and the concerning thing for Benfica is that we’re barely half an hour in.
GOOOAAALLL! Barcelona 2-1 Benfica
18:15 , Dom Smith27 mins: WHAT. A. GOAL.
It’s a two-goal cushion on aggregate for Barcelona now after a stunning effort from Yamal. He’s running away from the goal and just caresses a curling effort into the top corner. No power, just accuracy. Amazing strike.
Barcelona 1-1 Benfica
18:11 , Dom Smith25 mins: Yamal cuts in from the right onto his left foot and curls, luckily for Benfica’s standoffish defence, just wide.
He’s already had a bearing on proceedings tonight with that lovely assist for the opener.
Barcelona 1-1 Benfica
18:08 , Dom Smith21 mins: Balde does well to reach the byline and pull back, but Olmo’s contact with the ball is not what he wanted and the ball flies over the bar.
Barcelona 1-1 Benfica
18:06 , Dom Smith19 mins: Well that was some breathless action, but after it we are as we were at kick-off, with Barca ahead by a single goal on aggregate. Benfica playing some good stuff here and keeping the ball well.
GOOOOAAAALLL! Barcelona 1-1 Benfica
18:02 , Dom Smith13 mins: They’re right back in it, two minutes after conceding! It’s Otamendi with a header from a corner.
1-1 for Benfica on the night and an impetus to kick on from here!
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL! Barcelona 1-0 Benfica
17:59 , Dom Smith11 mins: Barcelona were knocking on the door, and now Raphinha has scored his 26th goal of the season.
It was a goal that owed a lot to Yamal. He cuts inside to take two players out of the goal, then is either trying to pick out Raphinha or miss-hits a shot. Either way, Raphinha is there at the back post to convert.
2-0 on aggregate.
Barcelona 0-0 Benfica
17:57 , Dom Smith10 mins: Then another weak effort. Lewandowski this time. Held with ease.
Barcelona 0-0 Benfica
17:57 , Dom Smith9 mins: Balde fires on goal and sees his effort tipped over by Trubin, but the flag belatedly goes up.
It was offside.
Benfica, though they haven’t had any chances yet, look well structured.
Barcelona 0-0 Benfica
17:54 , Dom Smith6 mins: De Jong feeds the ball into Pedri, who canters forward for a while and then plays Yamal in.
The teenager can’t quite connect with it, and a limp shot is saved.
Barcelona 0-0 Benfica
17:49 , Dom Smith2 mins: Pedri takes the first shot in anger but it deflects kindly for goalkeeper Trubin to gather.
Kick off
17:47 , Dom Smith1 min: Here we go. We’re underway in the second leg.
Kick off fast approaching
17:37 , Dom SmithLess than 10 minutes to go now until we’re underway at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona!
Pre-match warm-ups under way for Benfica
17:28 , Dom Smith🧤🔥#FCBSLB • #UCL pic.twitter.com/hY0jYqcAQZ
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) March 11, 2025
Lamine Yamal checks in
17:13 , Dom SmithLamine Yamal just got out of school. pic.twitter.com/sGfL7IbhMx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 11, 2025
Lewandowski starts
17:04 , Dom SmithSo no surprises then that Lewandowski starts up front for Barcelona after they intended to give him a rest against Osasuna at the weekend, before that match was postponed.
With Cubarsi suspended, Araujo is in to cover him alongside Martinez at centre-back.
It’s a mightily strong front three just behind Lewandowski, where Benfica must contain Yamal, Olmo and Raphinha, who is in red-hot form.
Benfica starting XI
16:51 , Dom SmithBenfica starting XI: Trubin, Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl, Aursnes, Florentino, Kokcu, Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup
Barcelona starting XI
16:47 , Dom SmithBarcelona XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny, Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal; Lewandowski
Route to the final
16:32 , Dom SmithThe winner of this tie advances to the quarter-finals, where they will meet either Lille or Borussia Dortmund.
After that comes the semis, where Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Feyenoord or Inter Milan would await.
And lastly, the final at the Allianz Arena, home of Bayern, where the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal or even Aston Villa could be the opponents.
In summary, then, there’s a LONG way to go...
Benfica manager still confident
16:20 , Dom SmithBruno Lage, Benfica manager, is full of confidence ahead of the second leg, despite his side trailing as things stand.
Hard to be sure whether that is genuine or just bluster, to be honest!
Yesterday, in his press, conference, the ex-Wolves head coach said: “We are feeling confident. We began very well in the other two games [group-stage meeting and first leg], creating chances and scoring early.
“We have the courage and ambition to do it again.”
Hansi Flick not letting players get ahead of themselves
16:03In his press conference yesterday, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was keen to remind his players that 1-0 on aggregate at the halfway stage is far from job done.
“We have to be 100 per cent focused, and the best thing is not to think about the first leg,” he said. “Nobody is taking it for granted that we are through to the quarter-finals. We have to win [the second leg].”
The German added: “We have to pressure more against Benfica and defend well. In Lisbon we saw how they can counter and we have to be careful. We have to be focused and have the right attitude to get the win. We are preparing well; it's an important moment for the club and we want to do well.”
Last time out...
15:50 , Dom SmithSo Barca hold a slender 1-0 lead heading into this second leg, after Raphinha’s goal helped the 10-man favourites past Benfica in Lisbon.
Here are the highlights from last week’s clash, act one of the action!
Barcelona vs Benfica latest odds
15:37 , Dom SmithBarcelona to progress: 4/11
Benfica to progress: 6/1
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
15:26 , Dom SmithBarcelona wins: 5
Draws: 4
Benfica wins: 2
Barcelona predicted XI
15:14 , Dom SmithThe big news for Barcelona is that Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August, is fit to play.
He had been left out of the squad named for the postponed Osasuna match, with reports indicating that he was being rested due to tiredness ahead of the visit of Benfica.
Addressing the Polish star’s fitness in his pre-match press conference on Monday, Barca boss Flick said: “Lewandowski is available to play tomorrow. On Saturday, he felt something during the activation session, but now he's fine.”
Predicted Barcelona XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Barcelona vs Benfica: Champions League score prediction today
14:58 , Jonathan GorrieBenfica certainly aren’t out of this but having failed to beat a ten-man Barca in Lisbon, it’s difficult to see how things will be much different in Catalonia.
With Raphinha in such fine form, the hosts will fancy their chances.
Barcelona to win, 2-0.
Benfica team news vs Barcelona today
14:57 , Jonathan GorrieBenfica will be without Angel Di Maria due to a muscle injury, alongside Tiago Gouveia and Alexander Bah.
Barcelona team news vs Benfica today
14:57 , Jonathan GorrieBarcelona’s game against Osasuna was called off due to the death of Barca club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia minutes before kick-off.
That means the Benfica return leg will be the first time Barca have played since winning in Lisbon, where Gavi missed out. The midfielder was named in the starting lineup before Saturday’s game was postponed, however, so should feature here.
Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen are injured, while Cubarsi is suspended. Robert Lewandowski will be fit for Barca, in a huge boost for the hosts.
Barcelona vs Benfica: TV channel and live stream for Champions League today
14:56 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ website and app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
14:41 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 second leg clash against Benfica.
Barca lead the tie 1-0 after a narrow win in Lisbon last week.
Kick-off from the Barcelona Olympic Stadium is at 5.45pm GMT.
