Barcelona cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Benfica on Tuesday, securing a 4-1 aggregate win.
Raphinha scored twice, while teenager Lamine Yamal delivered a stunning strike, as Barcelona dominated the first half at the Olympic Stadium. The victory built on their 1-0 win in Lisbon in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash.
Although Benfica’s Nicolas Otamendi briefly equalized for the visitors, Barcelona quickly regained control, showcasing some brilliant attacking football. The Catalans’ clinical performance in the second leg made the tie comfortable as they advanced to the quarter-finals.
Raphinha expressed his confidence after the match, telling Movistar: “We are candidates to win everything,” highlighting the team’s ambitions as they pursue a potential treble this season. He also praised Yamal for his exceptional goal, calling him “a spectacular player with tremendous quality.”
The match was particularly emotional for Barcelona, who played in tribute to the late club doctor Carles Minarro, who passed away suddenly on Saturday. The team observed a moment of silence before kick-off, with Raphinha noting, “What happened made us arrive at this game even more determined to win.”
Barcelona took the lead early, with Yamal’s impressive run setting up Raphinha for a simple finish in the 11th minute. Benfica responded quickly, with Otamendi heading in an equalizer from a corner just two minutes later.
Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, had been a key figure in the first leg but was unable to prevent Otamendi’s header. However, the Catalans’ attacking brilliance, led by Yamal and Raphinha, soon restored their advantage, ensuring a dominant win.
With this victory, Barcelona will face either Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarter-finals, as they aim to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time since 2015.
