Benfica 0-1 Barcelona: Match report & 5 talking points as Szczesny becomes unexpected hero

Barcelona Edge Past Benfica Despite Early Red Card

Barcelona took a massive step toward the Champions League quarter-finals with a gritty 1-0 victory over Benfica in Lisbon. Playing with ten men for over an hour, Hansi Flick’s side held firm defensively before Raphinha’s stunning goal secured the win.

However, the real hero of the night was Wojciech Szczesny, whose match-winning saves kept Benfica at bay and ensured Barcelona left Portugal with a crucial advantage.

Match Recap: Benfica vs Barcelona

First Half: Early Chaos & Cubarsi’s Costly Red Card

The game exploded into life from the first whistle, with Benfica nearly scoring in the opening minute. Kerem Akturkoglu’s powerful strike forced Szczesny into an outstanding save, setting the tone for the night.

Barcelona responded quickly, and Anatoliy Trubin denied a flurry of close-range efforts from Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal in a chaotic goalmouth scramble.

The turning point arrived in the 26th minute, as Pau Cubarsi was sent off for denying Vangelis Pavlidis a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Despite Cubarsi’s last-ditch attempt to win the ball, VAR confirmed the red card, leaving Barcelona with a huge uphill battle.

Szczesny remained Barcelona’s last line of defense, making crucial saves to keep out Orkun Kokcu’s free kick and Andreas Schjelderup’s dangerous run before halftime.

Second Half: Raphinha’s Thunderbolt & Benfica’s Missed Chances

Benfica continued their dominance after the break, with Pavlidis missing a golden opportunity from Alvaro Carreras’ low cross.

Moments later, Barcelona struck against the run of play. A sloppy pass from Antonio Silva gifted the ball to Raphinha, who fired a stunning 25-yard shot past Trubin to put Barcelona 1-0 ahead.

Realizing their chance was slipping away, Benfica pushed forward aggressively. Manager Bruno Lage introduced Andrea Belotti, but the veteran striker’s penalty appeals were waved away due to an offside call.

In the dying moments, Renato Sanches’ last-gasp header seemed destined for the net, but Szczesny pulled off a world-class save, preserving Barcelona’s lead until the final whistle.

5 Key Talking Points from Benfica vs Barcelona

1. Pau Cubarsi’s Record-Breaking Red Card

At 18 years and 42 days old, Pau Cubarsi became the youngest player ever sent off in a Champions League knockout match. His dismissal was a matter of centimeters—had he touched the ball instead of Pavlidis, he would have been hailed for a goal-saving tackle. Instead, Barcelona had to survive with ten men.

2. Flick’s Tactical Adjustment Paid Off

Hansi Flick reacted immediately to the red card, sacrificing Dani Olmo to bring on Ronald Araujo, switching to a deeper defensive setup. While this left Lewandowski isolated, it allowed Barcelona to absorb pressure and wait for their counter-attacking moment.

3. Lamine Yamal’s Surprising Early Exit

Flick subbed off Lamine Yamal just 11 minutes into the second half, replacing him with Ferran Torres. This rare early exit suggested a tactical switch to contain Benfica’s attacking left flank, led by Alvaro Carreras. Raphinha moving to the right helped Barcelona regain stability.

4. Raphinha Delivers When It Matters

Barcelona wanted Nico Williams last summer, but financial restrictions kept Raphinha in the squad. He has since emerged as one of their most crucial players, scoring his ninth Champions League goal of the season. His stunning strike in this match was yet another reminder of his importance to Flick’s system.

5. Szczesny’s Career Revival

This time last year, Wojciech Szczesny had retired from football. Now, he’s Barcelona’s unexpected hero.
The Polish goalkeeper made eight crucial saves, denying Akturkoglu, Renato Sanches, and Schjelderup. Without him, Benfica would have likely won comfortably.