FC Barcelona Advances After Narrow Win Over Benfica

Lisbon, Portugal – FC Barcelona secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals by defeating Benfica 1-0 on March 5, 2025. The match, played at the Estádio da Luz, concluded the two-legged tie in favor of the Spanish side after a draw in the first leg.

Raphinha scored the only goal of the match in the second half, ensuring Barcelona’s advancement in the prestigious tournament. Despite dominating possession with 52%, Benfica struggled to find the back of the net.

“We showed resilience and determination,” Raphinha said after the match. “Winning here was crucial for our confidence as we move forward in the competition.”

Throughout the game, both teams employed a 4-3-3 formation, with Barcelona generating significant opportunities, evidenced by their 13 shots, five of which were on target. Benfica had a total of 12 shots but could not convert on any.

Statistics showed Barcelona completing 432 total passes compared to Benfica’s 248. The home side only managed to secure 48% possession, underscoring their difficulties in breaking through the Barcelona defense.

Benfica’s coach, Bruno Lage, reflected on the match: “We fought hard, but we could not convert our chances into goals. We need to learn from this and come back stronger.”

The match was officiated by Felix Zwayer, who noted a total of three yellow cards issued during the game. “The players were competitive, but fair,” Zwayer stated in the post-match briefing.

With this victory, FC Barcelona joins other European giants in the quarterfinals, looking to reclaim their title in one of football’s most coveted tournaments. As for Benfica, their focus now shifts to domestic competitions, where they aim to maintain their position in the league standings.

The full highlights and analysis of this match will be available shortly on various sports platforms, including Eurosport and myCANAL.