Three key takeaways as Barcelona defeat Benfica 3-1 in the Champions League | OneFootball

FC Barcelona welcomed Benfica to the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium for the first time this season but this was the third game they were playing against the same opposition. The Catalan club had a slender 1-0 lead coming into this game.

Despite the slight advantage, Hansi Flick’s men knew that they had their task cut out against the Portuguese side and they looked switched on from minute 1. Except for the goal that they conceded from a set piece on the night, Barcelona looked flawless.

Raphinha started off the proceedings after a sumptuous assist from Lamine Yamal. The latter then scored a highlight-reel worthy solo goal and his Brazilian counterpart also found his second goal of the night just before half-time.

Barcelona continued to knock on the door in the second half without it actually resulting in a goal but the job was done. Everything considered, here are the three key takeaways as Barcelona beat Benfica 4-1 on aggregate in the Champions League Round of 16.

Oh Lamine Yamal! Where do we even start with describing this freakishly talented 17-year-old. The Spanish attacker has been brilliant so far this season but his performance against Benfica was at a whole new level.

In recent weeks, there has been a lot of chatter surrounding the lack of goals from Lamine, with the teenager failing to find the back of the net in La Liga since October. However, he has continued to be instrumental across all phases.

Against Benfica, Lamine took the game by the scruff of its neck and showcased that he is a player for the biggest of occasions. He first provided an assist for Raphinha’s goal, sitting down two defenders and producing an inch perfect cross to the far post.

His goal on the night was something else though. Lamine worked hard to keep a free-kick that went beyond everyone in the box in play. With a subtle drop of his shoulder, he made his way into the box and curled one into the far post with incredible finesse. Simply brilliant!

Raphinha is having one of those all-timer campaigns so far and his numbers, especially in the Champions League, have put him in a different class. At this rate, the Barcelona attacker has the chance to break all kinds of records should the team make a deep run.

The 28-year-old has scored 27 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions, so far this season, of which 11 goals and 5 assists have come in the Champions League. Benfica would hate to see the sight of him going forward.

Both of Raphinha’s goals against Benfica at the Montjuic were extremely well taken, with the Brazilian cleverly finishing off an excellent cross from Lamine Yamal for the first goal. For the second one, the 28-year-old showcased power and precision to find the back of the net.

It is worth noting that although an assist might not be granted against his name, it was his cross from a free-kick that found its way all the way to Lamine Yamal and the Spaniard produced a moment of magic to make a goal out of the same.

If it already wasn’t evident with his performances for Barcelona since the start of 2025, his performance against Benfica showcased yet again that Alejandro Balde has unlocked a new level to his game.

Since the beginning of the year, the Spaniard has been the best in his position in the world alongside Nuno Mendes of PSG and terrorized Benfica in the first half, especially last night. When Balde gets on his bike, there is no stopping him.

Immensely gifted with his pace but also the ability to dribble past opposition at that speed, Balde made so many forward forays throughout the 90 and it was one such lung-bursting run on a counter-attack that gave Barcelona their third goal.

Hansi Flick has worked with Balde to get him to play to his potential and make him one of the very best players in this squad. It’s time he starts getting his flowers and there is no doubt that he will do so if he continues performing in a similar vein.