Barcelona, Benfica stars involved in heated altercation after match; police intervene

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Barca Universal

·22 January 2025

Barcelona, Benfica stars involved in heated altercation after match; police intervene

FC Barcelona completed an incredible comeback against Benfica, beating them 4-5, and securing direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

However, following the Blaugrana’s victory, incidents occurred between players of both teams in the dressing room tunnel.

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Police intervene as tempers flare

According to Mundo Deportivo, Raphinha, who scored the winning goal for Barcelona, was targeted by several Benfica players, who insulted him after the match, leading to tense scenes in the locker room area.

The altercations got so heated that it prompted Portuguese police and stadium security to intervene in order to prevent the situation from escalating further.

The Benfica players and staff were outraged by the referee’s decision to uphold Barcelona’s winner as they believed they had won a penalty before the Catalans’ counter-attack.

Raphinha was targeted by Benfica players. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

But the VAR and the referee did not see things the same way, leading to the hosts’ anger after the match.

Raphinha sheds light on incident

Speaking to the media after the match, Raphinha confirmed that there was an incident between him and the Benfica players.

“I am a person who respects everyone, but when I was leaving the pitch, there were people who insulted me. I returned the insults. I know I should not have done that, but I did. In the end, we all got heated. The Benfica side also got a little heated,” said Raphinha.

“They could have understood the situation, but they chose to insult me. I am a person who does not take things home with me, and if they speak to me, I will respond in kind. It was something that happened; we were all upset, but it is normal in football after a match like this,” he added.

Despite these brief unsavoury incidents, the Benfica-Barcelona match was one of the most spectacular of this season’s Champions League, with Barcelona displaying great character in their comeback.