Stunning Comeback: Barcelona Beats Benfica 5-4 with Last-Second Goal
What a night of football at Estádio da Luz! Benfica and Barcelona delivered a Champions League thriller that fans will never forget. Despite Benfica holding a 4-2 lead until the 85th minute, the Catalan giants staged a jaw-dropping comeback, culminating in a last-second goal by Raphinha to snatch a 5-4 victory.
The game began with Benfica on fire. Pavlidis netted an early opener and quickly doubled his tally, exploiting Barcelona's high defensive line. By the 30th minute, Pavlidis had completed a stunning hat-trick, capitalizing on errors from Barcelona’s defense. The home fans, 63,000 strong, were in full voice, dreaming of a historic victory.
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Barcelona, however, refused to fold. Lewandowski's penalty kept them in contention, and though Benfica regained a two-goal cushion, the second half saw the Catalans dominate possession. A bizarre own goal by Benfica's Araújo and a clutch header from Eric Garcia leveled the score at 4-4, with mere minutes remaining.
Then came the heart-stopping finale. As Benfica pushed forward in search of a winner, a loose ball was cleared to Lewandowski, who found Raphinha unmarked. The Brazilian sprinted half the field, sidestepped his marker, and coolly slotted the ball home in the dying seconds. The VAR review upheld the goal, dashing Benfica's hopes and sending Barcelona through to the knockout stages.
This defeat leaves Benfica's qualification hopes hanging by a thread. They must now secure points against Juventus in the final group match to keep their Champions League dream alive. For Barcelona, the victory solidifies their position in the top two of the group standings.
This match had everything—goals, drama, and heartbreak—a reminder of why the Champions League is the pinnacle of club football.
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