🗞️🗞️He made the comeback’: Barca fans stunned by one player who turned the game against Benfica, not Raphinha

In a thrilling UEFA Champions League match on January 21, 2025, FC Barcelona faced SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The game was marked by dramatic shifts in momentum, culminating in a remarkable 5-4 victory for Barcelona, securing their place in the tournament’s last 16.

First Half: Benfica’s Dominance

The match began unfavorably for Barcelona, as Benfica’s striker Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a simple tap-in. Barcelona managed to equalize in the 11th minute when Robert Lewandowski converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a foul on Alejandro Baldé. However, defensive lapses plagued Barcelona, particularly from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. In the 15th minute, Szczesny’s misjudged advance left Pavlidis with an open goal, allowing Benfica to regain the lead. Pavlidis completed his hat-trick in the 30th minute, converting a penalty after Szczesny fouled Kerem Akturkoglu, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of Benfica.

Second Half: Barcelona’s Resurgence

Barcelona initiated their comeback in the 64th minute under fortuitous circumstances. Benfica’s goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, attempted a clearance that ricocheted off Raphinha’s head, resulting in an unexpected goal from 25 yards out, reducing the deficit to 3-2. Despite this momentum, Barcelona’s defense faltered again four minutes later, with Ronald Araújo scoring an own goal, extending Benfica’s lead to 4-2.

Final Minutes: A Dramatic Turnaround

Refusing to concede defeat, Barcelona intensified their efforts. In the 78th minute, Lewandowski scored his second penalty of the night, narrowing the gap to 4-3. Substitute Eric García then equalized in the 87th minute with a powerful header from a Pedri cross, bringing the score to 4-4. The climax arrived deep into stoppage time when Raphinha capitalized on a counter-attack, slotting the ball past Trubin to secure a 5-4 victory for Barcelona.

Post-Match Reactions

Raphinha, who played a pivotal role in the comeback, expressed his commitment to the team, stating, “I will kill and die for this team.” Head coach Hansi Flick also reflected on the match, admitting, “I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a comeback like this.”

This match will be remembered as one of the most exhilarating comebacks in Champions League history, showcasing Barcelona’s resilience a

nd determination.