Lamine Yamal and Raphinha guided Barcelona to a 3-1 second-leg victory against Benfica in the Champions League last-16, ensuring that the Blaugrana will compete in the quarter-finals for the second season in a row.
Before the contest, both teams observed a minutes' silence at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys following the recent death of Barcelona's first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.
After winning 1-0 with 10 men in Lisbon, Barcelona required just 11 minutes to double their aggregate advantage through Raphinha, who steered the ball home after being set up by Yamal.
Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi produced a swift equaliser to pull his side level on the night, but Barcelona netted two more goals to take the tie away from the visitors before the half-time interval.
Yamal produced a stunning strike to become the youngest player to score and assist in the same Champions League match, while Raphinha's second goal of the game helped him become the first Brazilian to net 11 goals in a single Champions League campaign.
Benfica's Fredrik Aursnes may have had a goal chalked off for offside in the opening stages of the second period, but Bruno Lage's side never looked like staging a comeback despite Barcelona taking their foot off the gas in a bid to preserve energy ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.
Incidentally, Atleti were the last team to beat the Catalan giants, who have avoided defeat in all 17 of their competitive matches in 2025 (W14, D3).
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Barcelona may have won 3-1 on the night, but in truth, this tie was settled in last week's first leg in the Portuguese capital.
Benfica missed a great opportunity to establish a first-leg lead against a Barcelona side that played the majority of the contest with 10 men.
As a result of last week's 1-0 defeat, there was always a sense that Barcelona would do enough to defend their advantage in front of their own supporters, and that ultimately proved to be the case as they sealed their quarter-final spot before the referee blew the half-time whistle.
The Blaugrana demonstrated that they have the attacking talent to go all the way in this season's Champions League, but the question is, will their aggressive high-line work continue to work or could it be their downfall as the competition progresses?
BARCELONA VS. BENFICA HIGHLIGHTS
11th min: Barcelona (2)1-0(0) Benfica (Raphinha)
Barcelona grab an early goal to double their aggregate advantage. It is unclear whether Yamal meant to shoot or cross but Barcelona fans will not care. The 17-year-old showcases his nimble footwork to drive into the box before his left-footed effort finds Raphinha, who guides the ball home with a first-time finish.
13th min: Barcelona (2)1-1(1) Benfica (Otamendi)
Benfica produce an instant response. Robert Lewandowski attempts to get his head to a corner, but he can only help it on its way to the far post where Otamendi is on hand to head home.
27th min: Barcelona (3)2-1(1) Benfica (Yamal)
What a sensational goal! Yamal cuts inside from the right flank and despite moving away from goal, the winger manages to wrap his left foot around the ball to curl a stunning strike out of Anatoliy Trubin's reach.
42th min: Barcelona (4)3-1(1) Benfica (Raphinha)
Raphinha grabs Barcelona's third goal of the first half. The Brazilian collects the ball before driving the ball into the bottom corner. The goal is initially ruled out for offside and brought back for an earlier free kick. However, VAR overturns the on-field decision, with the goal surely ending Benfica's hopes of reaching the last 16.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RAPHINHA
Our Man of the Match award could easily go to Yamal, especially after he conjured up one of the goals of the 2024-25 Champions League.
However, we have to give the nod to Raphinha after he scored two goals and an assist to help Hansi Flick's side claim a comfortable victory.
Those goals took Raphinha's overall tally to 27 competitive goals this season, demonstrating why he is now one of the key players in this Barcelona side.
BARCELONA VS. BENFICA MATCH STATS
Possession: Barcelona 65%-35% Benfica
Shots: Barcelona 20-8 Benfica
Shots on target: Barcelona 6-2 Benfica
Corners: Barcelona 1-6 Benfica
Fouls: Barcelona 4-8 Benfica
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona will now wait to see whether they will face French side Lille or last season's Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund in the last eight.
In the short term, the Blaugrana will turn their focus to Sunday's crucial La Liga clash against title rivals Atletico Madrid, while Benfica will continue their Primeira Lige title bid with an away game against Rio Ave.
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