Barcelona secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Benfica in the second leg, progressing 4-1 on aggregate. This result kept Barcelona’s impressive record intact as the only unbeaten team across all competitions in Europe’s top-five leagues in 2025.
After holding a narrow one-goal advantage from the first leg in Lisbon, despite playing with 10 men for over an hour, Barcelona looked set to finish the job at home. Benfica, well-rested after their weekend match against Osasuna was cancelled due to the sad death of their team doctor, quickly doubled Barcelona’s aggregate lead within 11 minutes. Lamine Yamal’s brilliant run and cross was finished off by Raphinha at the back post.
Benfica responded quickly, scoring just two minutes later when Nicolás Otamendi headed in from close range after an excellent corner from Andreas Schjelderup, making Otamendi the third-oldest player to score in the UCL knockout stages. Barcelona soon regained control, with Robert Lewandowski and Yamal both coming close to restoring their lead.
Yamal, however, made the pressure count in the 27th minute, curling a stunning shot into the far corner from 20 yards for his 12th goal of the season. He became the youngest player ever to score and assist in a single Champions League match. Barcelona continued their dominance, and Raphinha scored his second of the night before half-time, finishing calmly into the bottom corner after a strong run from Alejandro Balde.
Barcelona eased off in the second half but should have extended their lead when Frenkie de Jong missed a chance from close range. Though Benfica fought hard and almost pulled a goal back when Zeki Amdouni’s header was cleared off the line by Jules Koundé, they couldn’t break through. The game finished with Barcelona comfortably through to the quarter-finals, even after resting some of their key players ahead of their important La Liga match against Atlético Madrid on Sunday.
For Benfica, their poor record against Spanish teams continued, with just three wins from their last 25 matches, and they’ll be hoping to recover in the domestic league.
