Lamine Yamal and Raphinha Shine as Catalans Secure 4-1 Aggregate Victory
Barcelona delivered a masterclass in attacking football on Tuesday night, defeating Benfica 3-1 at the Olympic Stadium to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate victory. Inspired by the brilliance of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, the Catalans put on a show for their fans, showcasing their title credentials as they aim to lift the trophy for the first time since 2015.
The match began with an emotional tribute to late club doctor Carles Minarro, who passed away suddenly on Saturday. The players observed a moment of silence in his honor, and the team channeled their determination into a dominant performance. “We won for us, and Carles is always with us,” said Barcelona manager Hansi Flick after the game.
Barcelona struck first in the 11th minute when 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal dazzled the Benfica defense with a mazy run before setting up Raphinha for a simple finish. However, Benfica responded almost immediately, with Nicolas Otamendi rising above Ronald Araujo to head home from a corner and level the score.
The Catalans quickly regained control, thanks to a moment of magic from Yamal. The teenager cut in from the right and unleashed a stunning curling shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin with no chance. “His goal was spectacular,” Raphinha said of Yamal’s strike. “It shows what Lamine is—a spectacular player with tremendous quality.”
Raphinha then added his second of the night just before halftime, finishing off a blistering counter-attack initiated by Alejandro Balde. The Brazilian winger now leads the Champions League scoring charts with 11 goals this season, further cementing his status as one of Barcelona’s key players.
Benfica tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but their efforts were thwarted by a disallowed goal and a resolute Barcelona defense. The hosts came close to adding a fourth when Frenkie de Jong narrowly missed connecting with a razor-sharp team move, but the damage had already been done.
With the victory, Barcelona extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in 2025 and set up a quarter-final clash against either Borussia Dortmund or Lille. “We are candidates to win everything,” Raphinha declared confidently, reflecting the team’s belief in their ability to compete for a historic treble.
Manager Hansi Flick, however, remained grounded. “It’s good that the players think about winning everything—it shows they have confidence,” he said. “But my job is to stay calm.”
For Benfica, the defeat marks the end of their Champions League journey, leaving them to focus on their domestic campaign, where they trail Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese league. “We’re left with a feeling of frustration,” said Benfica coach Bruno Lage. “We could have done better in both games.”
As Barcelona turn their attention to a crucial La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid this weekend, their fans will be dreaming of a return to European glory. With players like Yamal and Raphinha in scintillating form, the Catalans are proving they have the firepower to compete with the best.
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