Barcelona rally from 4-2 deficit, pulling off an inspiring UCL comeback
Leave it to FC Barcelona to go down by a couple of goals late in a champions league game to then find themselves winning it in the final minute of play. This sounds like a story that’s been told before and for those of you that are thinking this is deja vu, it sure feels like it! Instead, this time around the victims were SL Benfica and the defeat they suffered was in front of their home fans nonetheless.
A poor start to the match saw Barcelona go down 1-0 inside of 2 minutes. Greek striker Vangelis Pavilidis buried a low cross by Álvaro Carreras, to give ‘As Aguias’ a quick lead. Benfica had the opportunity to double their lead only a few minutes later but Norwegian midfielder Fredrik Aursnes was unable to hit the target.
Nearly 10 minutes into the first half Barcelona finally seemed to find their footing in the match, creating a chance that very nearly drew them level. 11 minutes in Alejandro Balde was fouled inside the penalty box and after an initial signal for a corner, the VAR intervened and the referee called a penalty in favor of the Catalan club. Robert Lewandowski took matters into his own hands and equalized the game at 1-1. However, the draw was short lived.
The first blooper of the match allowed Benfica to take control. Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny tackled teammate, Alejandro Balde about 30 yards away from his goal in an attempt to get rid of a dangerous ball. Unfortunately, Balde was also trying to thwart the danger. While facing away from his net, he collided with Szczesny, allowing Pavlidis to pass the ball into the goal undefended. 22 minutes in, the home team was up 2-1.
Things only worsened from there as a penalty was awarded to Benfica after another error from Szczęsny who tackled Turkish forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu in the box. While the replay cast doubt if the keeper made contact with the Benfica player, the referee confirmed the decision and Pavlidis sealed his first-half hat-trick in just 30 minutes of play. Down 3-1, Barcelona was seeing their night go from bad to worse.
The side led by Hansi Flick desperately needed to get to halftime to reinvigorate a second-half comeback which would be more than difficult. New life was breathed into a struggling Barcelona side when they least expected it. The second blooper of the match, this time caused by Ukranian keeper Anatolii Trubin for the home side, allowed the visitors to get a goal back and bring the game to 3-2 in the 64th minute. In an effort to kick the ball away, the keeper hit it right towards Raphinha’s head who with pure reflex was able to place the ball into the back of the net.
Nevertheless, Benfica would find themselves with another goal in front as a result of a Ronald Araújo own goal in the 68th minute bringing the match to 4-2. Poor defending coupled with a high defensive line was proving to be disastrous for Barcelona against a side that was taking advantage of almost every chance they had. Fortunately for ‘Los Culers’ things would take a turn for the better.
A foul on Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal would gift the team with another penalty and an opportunity to bring the game back to a 1 goal difference. With 12 minutes left to go in the 90, Lewandoski slotted his second penalty of the night, bagging his ninth goal— top scorer in the Champions League—and making the match 4-3 in favor of Benfica. Hope was given to the Barça squad who was looking to bring home at least a single point after a rough night in Lisbon.
La Masia graduate, Pedri shined in the late moments of the match, helping turn the improbable into a reality. The 22 year old leader in Barcelona’s midfield put a masterful cross into the Benfica box that would find the head of his teammate, super-sub Eric García who would equalize the match at 4 a piece in the 86th minute of play.
But there was time for one final moment of glory for the visitors.The ref added 4 minutes of stoppage time to what was already a wild Champions League match full of emotions. Despite having added 4 minutes, it was in the 5th when Raphinha received a pass from Ferran Torres into space and was able to turn one final chance into the game winning goal. Just like that, Barcelona made a historic comeback and took the 3 points. The final whistle blew and the result was set, Barcelona 5 - 4 Benfica.
In the face of adversity and relatively poor defensive play, FC Barcelona found their way back in a match that seemed too far gone and lost. A combination of their trusted veterans and substitution changes breathed new life into the team and made it possible to mount a comeback. With one final match left in this stage of the UCL, their trip to the knockouts is already sealed.