Raphinha scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Barcelona completed a thrilling comeback to defeat Benfica 5-4 on Tuesday, virtually securing direct qualification to the Champions League last 16.
Benfica were leading 4-2 with less than 15 minutes to go, but Barcelona mounted an incredible late surge to stay three points behind leaders Liverpool.
Vangelis Pavlidis scored a first-half hat-trick for Benfica, benefiting from two significant errors by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
However, Robert Lewandowski converted two penalties, Eric Garcia headed in a goal, and Raphinha bagged a brace to secure a stunning victory for Barcelona in Lisbon.
“We knew how hard it would be here, in front of their fans, and they have top-level players,” Raphinha told Movistar. “We didn’t let ourselves sink at 3-1 down; we stayed focused on what we needed to do to change the game. It was a spectacular game for everyone. It could have gone either way, but we managed to take it.”
The match started with a quick Benfica lead. Pavlidis opened the scoring in the second minute, escaping Pau Cubarsi to finish from Alvaro Carreras’ low cross. Barcelona quickly responded with Lewandowski converting a penalty after Alejandro Balde was fouled by Benfica’s Tomas Araujo.
Benfica regained the lead when Szczesny rushed out of his goal to intercept a through-ball, only to collide with Balde. Pavlidis capitalized on the mistake, calmly rolling the ball into the empty net for his second goal.
