UCL: Barcelona Advance to UCL Quarter-Finals with 4-1 Aggregate Win

Barcelona secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, defeating Benfica 3-1 in the second leg and advancing 4-1 on aggregate, thanks to a brace from Raphinha.

Barcelona secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, defeating Benfica 3-1 in the second leg and advancing 4-1 on aggregate.

This victory maintains Barcelona's impressive unbeaten streak across all competitions in Europe's top-five leagues in 2025, boasting 14 wins and 3 draws.

After earning a narrow one-goal advantage in the first leg in Lisbon, despite playing with 10 men for over an hour, Barcelona was well-positioned to complete the task on home soil. The team's preparation was also aided by the postponement of their weekend game against Osasuna.

Barcelona doubled their aggregate lead within 11 minutes, as Lamine Yamal's exceptional run and cross were expertly converted by Raphinha at the back post, setting the tone for a dominant performance.

Barça in the quarter-finals ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/wzDOm9YjJG

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 11, 2025

Benfica quickly recovered from the early setback, scoring an equalizer just two minutes later. Andreas Schjelderup's inviting corner found Nicolas Otamendi, who headed home from close range to become the third-oldest scorer in the Champions League knockouts.

Barcelona soon regained control, with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal both coming close to restoring their lead. Yamal's persistence paid off in the 27th minute, as he curled a sublime strike into the far corner from 20 yards for his 12th goal of the season, becoming the youngest player to score and assist in a single Champions League match.

With momentum on their side, Barcelona sought to put the tie beyond doubt before half-time. Raphinha delivered, clinically firing into the bottom corner after a marauding run from Alejandro Balde, securing his second goal of the evening.

🏆#UCL pic.twitter.com/sye0dqRPgX

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 11, 2025

In the second half, Barcelona eased off, but should have extended their advantage when Frenkie de Jong poked wide from six yards on the stretch shortly after the hour mark.

Despite the tie being all but over, Benfica continued to fight, nearly pulling a goal back when Zeki Amdouni's goalbound header was blocked on the line by Jules Kounde.

The scoreline remained unchanged in the closing stages, as Barcelona comfortably saw out the match, despite resting several key players in preparation for their crucial LaLiga clash against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Benfica, on the other hand, will aim to rebound domestically, seeking to improve their dismal record against Spanish opposition, which now stands at just three wins from their last 25 matches, with eight draws and 14 losses.