Barcelona’s Epic Comeback Against Benfica
On January 21, 2025, FC Barcelona secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, ensuring their progression to the last 16.
The match, held at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz, was a rollercoaster of emotions. Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis netted a first-half hat-trick, capitalizing on defensive errors, including two significant mistakes by Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny. This left Barcelona trailing 3-1 at halftime.
In the second half, Barcelona showcased resilience. Robert Lewandowski converted two penalties, and Eric García scored with a header to level the score. The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Raphinha scored, sealing the 5-4 win. This victory places Barcelona second in their group, trailing leaders Liverpool by three points. Manager Hansi Flick praised the team’s mentality, stating, “The way the team fought back was unbelievable.”