UCL: Barcelona stage remarkable comeback to beat Benfica in nine-goal thriller

Barcelona extended their unbeaten Champions League run with a dramatic 5-4 comeback win over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.

The match started poorly for Barcelona as Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring for Benfica, converting a pinpoint cross from Álvaro Carreras.

Barcelona quickly responded when Robert Lewandowski equalized from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Alejandro Balde.

Despite regaining control, Barcelona fell behind again. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, making his first Champions League appearance for the club, gifted Pavlidis a second goal.

The Greek striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot following another error from Szczesny.

Barcelona clawed their way back with Raphinha scoring a bizarre goal off a deflected clearance and Lewandowski converting his second penalty of the night.

Ronald Araújo’s own goal briefly restored Benfica’s two-goal advantage before Eric Garcia’s header leveled the score at 4-4.

The dramatic encounter reached its climax when Raphinha scored a late winner on the counterattack, silencing the home crowd and securing a memorable comeback for Barcelona.

Trailing 4-2 with just 15 minutes remaining, Barcelona’s resolve earned them all three points, securing a spot in the tournament’s last 16.