A UEFA Champions League game that no one would have predicted before the kick-off and can only be described as a truly bizarre and controversial. Barcelona where able to beat Benfica 5-4 in a late comeback that stunned the Lisbon side.
The game started with an early goal in the 2nd minute by Pavlidis, catching the Barcelona defense napping and giving Benfica the early advantage and leading them 1-0. Barcelona would soon equalise via a penalty taken with composure by Robert Lewandowski in the 13th minute.
Wojciech Szczęsny’s First Half Disaster class
In the 22nd minute Benfica scored their second goal but it happened in the most bizarre of circumstances as Wojciech Szczęsny who went to clear the ball crashed into his teammate Alejandro Balde and left the goal wide open for an easy 2nd goal for Pavlidis who got the lead back for Benfica making the score 2-1.
The decision to come out of the box was a truly questionable one as Balde had the ball in his control and there was no need for Szczęsny to make the run, but that wouldn’t be the end of Szczęsny’s problem for the night as he would make a late tackle, giving away a penalty which was later converted by Palvidis, making it his hatrick and extending their lead which brought the score to 3-1 before half time. This game definitely sparked the debate on whether Szczęsny should be part of the starting 11 and considering his red card recently in the supercopa de españa final its definitely something Hansi Flick will need to think about.
A Comedic second half
The second half continued with the same chaos as the first half as Raphinha would score a goal truly comedic goal in the 64th. Trubin Benefica’s goal keeper was trying to send the ball long but it unexpectedly found Raphinha’s head who was standing outside the box and it just went straight into the goal after hitting his head bringing the score to 3-2, however this wasn’t the end of the absurd situations in the game as soon after in the 68th minute Ronald Araújo would score and goal making it 4-2 and extending Benfica’s lead by two again. The Chaos would continue as Barcelona were awarded a penalty as Lamine Yamal was fouled and the penalty was later converted by Lewandowski again making 4-3.
Barcelona’s Determination and Last Goal Controversy
In the 86th minute Barça found the net with great cross from Pedri and a brilliant header from Eric García which equalized the game making it 4-4, showcasing the Catalan sides attacking determination. The game would end with even more drama as Benfica were attacking and there was a potential foul that wasn’t given and Barça made the most of this opportunity with a quick counter attack and Raphinha who has been one of the best players of this season so far found the back of the net with a calm and composed finish making it 5-4 just before the final whistle and marking the end of a thrilling and chaotic 9 goal game.
Interesting read