The UEFA Champions League returned with a bang on Tuesday as Barcelona clinched a dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. This epic clash has etched its name in the tournament’s history books, delivering an unforgettable evening of football. Here’s a deep dive into six incredible stats and highlights from this historic encounter.
- First-Ever 5-4 Scoreline in Champions League History
In over 32 years of the Champions League, this was the first match to end 5-4, marking a rare spectacle. High-scoring games are not uncommon, but this tightly contested battle showcased both teams relentlessly going for the win. Barcelona became only the second team in the competition’s history to secure victory despite conceding 4+ goals, joining Borussia Dortmund’s 8-4 win over Legia Warsaw in 2016.
- A Match Defined by Errors and Drama
This game wasn’t just thrilling but chaotic, with three penalties, an own goal, and two errors leading to goals, the most recorded in a Champions League match since 2007-08. Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, endured a nightmare performance, making crucial mistakes that gifted Benfica goals. Despite his blunders, Barcelona’s persistence ultimately paid off.
Key moments included:
- Szczesny’s collision with teammate Alejandro Balde, leading to an easy goal for Vangelis Pavlidis.
- Raphinha’s bizarre first goal from a ricocheted clearance.
- Ronald Araujo’s unfortunate own goal.
- Barcelona’s First Comeback from Two Goals Down
Trailing 3-1 and then 4-2, Barcelona looked out of the contest. However, the team showcased resilience and attacking brilliance to mount their first-ever comeback from two goals down in Champions League history. Benfica, on the other hand, hadn’t suffered such a collapse since 1984.
- Vangelis Pavlidis’ Historic Hat-Trick
Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis scored a sensational first-half hat-trick within 30 minutes, making it the third-fastest in Champions League history. Only Robert Lewandowski (23 minutes) and Marco Simone (24 minutes) have achieved quicker trebles. Pavlidis also became the fourth player to score a hat-trick against Barcelona, joining legends like Kylian Mbappé and Andriy Shevchenko.
- High xG and Chance Creation
The match delivered on excitement and quality with a combined 6.97 expected goals (xG), the second-highest total recorded in Champions League history since 2010-11. Barcelona generated 3.6 xG, while Benfica tallied 3.3. The game featured 13 big chances, further underscoring its end-to-end nature.
- Raphinha’s Latest Winning Goal on Record
Raphinha sealed Barcelona’s victory with a composed finish in the 95th minute and eight seconds, making it the team’s latest winning goal in Champions League history. The Brazilian’s decisive strike came just moments after a VAR review ruled out potential penalties for Benfica.
Key Takeaways from the Benfica vs Barcelona Thriller
This extraordinary contest was a rare blend of drama, mistakes, and breathtaking moments. While Barcelona ultimately emerged victorious, Benfica’s spirited performance and Pavlidis’ heroics ensured this game will be remembered for years to come.
Whether you’re a fan of Champions League history, stunning comebacks, or high-octane football, this game had it all. Stay tuned for more football insights, match analysis, and exclusive updates by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.