Barcelona was already clear for the playoffs in the Champions League, but it looked for a long time like the Spanish giant would suffer its second defeat of the season away against Portuguese Benfica.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had a less fortunate evening at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. However, the Pole cannot be blamed for Benfica's leading goal, which was more due to Barcelona's defense playing nonchalantly in their positional play.
Hattrick by Pavlidis
As early as the second minute, Greek Vangelis Pavlidis scored 1–0 after a fine Benfica attack in depth.
Although Robert Lewandowski equalized in the 13th minute on a penalty, Szczesny then took center stage twice.
In the 22nd minute, the rushing Barcelona goalkeeper collided violently with teammate Alejandro Balde when they both only had their eyes on the ball. It all ended with Pavlidis getting a clear path and an open goal to make it 2–1.
The Greek was not finished there. After half an hour, Szczesny caused a penalty when he went harshly against Kerem Aktürkoglu. Up stepped Pavlidis, who with an ice-cold penalty completed his hattrick.
If Benfica's 2–1 goal was comical, Barcelona's reduction in the second act can be sorted into the same category.
Home goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin was about to lift a ball from his own penalty area, but hit Raphinha right in the head. The Barça player didn't even have time to react, but it became a brilliant header and the ball sailed into the goal in the 61st minute.
Just three minutes later, it was 4–2 to Benfica after Barcelona's Ronald Araújo steered a cross into his own goal.
Two Late Barcelona Goals
But it was far from over. With just over a quarter of an hour left to play, goal king Lewandowski scored his second goal of the evening – his ninth in the CL this season – for a new reduction.
The goal fest was not over yet – not at all. In the 86th minute, substitute Eric García headed in the 4–4 equalizer on a short corner, and in the sixth minute of added time, Raphinha countered to score the 5–4 winner for Barcelona. Benfica players protested wildly, claiming they should have had a penalty in the situation just before the goal.
The win means Barcelona remains second in the table with 18 points and one round left to play. Table leaders Liverpool are on maximum 21 points after a 2–1 home win against Lille.
Corrected version: Now with the correct number of CL goals for the season for Robert Lewandowski.
