Champions League: Pavlidis bags hat-trick but Raphinha dagger settles 9-goal thriller

Champions League: Pavlidis bags hat-trick but Raphinha dagger settles 9-goal thriller

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 23:11 - 21.01.2025

Barcelona completed a stunning comeback to defeat Benfica 5-4 in UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday night.

Barcelona pulled off an incredible comeback at Estádio da Luz, overcoming a 4-2 deficit to defeat Benfica 5-4.

Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, firing in his second UCL goal of the season at close range. However, Barcelona quickly responded, winning a penalty after Tomás Araújo clipped Alejandro Balde's heel inside the box. Robert Lewandowski coolly converted the penalty.

Barcelona's Wojciech Szczęsny committed a series of errors that allowed Benfica to take a 3-1 lead. Pavlidis completed his hat-trick with a calm conversion down the middle, and Benfica added a fourth goal through Andreas Schjelderup.

Despite the daunting deficit, Barcelona refused to give up. They won their second penalty of the night after Nicolás Otamendi felled Lamine Yamal in the area, and Lewandowski converted again.

The momentum had shifted, and Pedri's cross to the back post found Eric García, who headed in at point-blank range to make it 4-4.

In the match's dying moments, Benfica's penalty appeal was turned down, and Barcelona counter-attacked, with Raphinha scoring to seal a stunning 5-4 victory.

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