Watch full Champions League highlights from Portugal as Barcelona shocked Benfica on Tuesday night, completing a stunning comeback with the last kick of the game.
Barcelona Pull Off The Impossible
The game got off to a quick start in Portugal, with Vangelis Pavlidis smashing his first effort into the top corner from close range after just two minutes.
Barcelona were gifted an opportunity to get back into the game just ten minutes later though as Robert Lewandowski levelled proceedings from the penalty spot.
The visitors weren’t level for long, with Benfica taking advantage of Barca’s high line in the first of two horror moments for Wojciech Szczęsny.
The goalkeeper – who has come out of retirement to play for Barcelona this year – failed to call for a looping ball in the Barca half and he took out his own defender well out of his own box, leaving Pavlidis an open goal to walk into for his and Benfica’s second.
Pavlidis and Benfica entered dream land just before half time as the hosts were awarded the game’s second penalty for a Szczęsny foul, with Pavlidis confidently stroking home for a two goal advantage and a first half hattrick.
Raphinha has been one of the most in form players in the world this year and the Brazilian showed his class in the second half, with his first goal of the game bringing Barcelona back into contention with just under half an hour left to play.
Barca’s parade was again rained on just four minutes later, as Benfica had their two goal advantage restored courtesy of a Ronald Araujo own goal.
If the first half had been a dream for Benfica, the final 15 minutes of Tuesday’s clash was certainly a nightmare.
Lewandowski scored the game’s third penalty in the 78th minute and out of nowhere the visitors were level in Portugal, as Eric Garcia nodded in a cross that sent the stadium silent.
It looked as if the points would be shared on Tuesday with the seconds ticking down in added time, but Raphinha once again turned hero for the Spanish side with a brilliant solo goal completing Barcelona’s impossible comeback.
WATCH: Benfica 4-5 Barcelona Highlights
With their win Barcelona officially qualified for the Champions League last 16, while Benfica look set to contest the new playoff phase.
