The five-time European champions left it late but pulled off a sensational comeback in Lisbon
Barcelona's fine run in the Champions League continued at the expense of Benfica, with the Spanish giants winning 5-4 in dramatic fashion.
To describe the game as chaotic would be an understatement. There were four goals inside the opening 30 minutes, three of them going in favour of the home side.
Just two minutes in, Vangelis Pavlidis turned the ball home superbly after being picked out by an excellent Alvaro Carreras cross. The former Manchester United man's energetic run and assist set the tone for the match, but Barca hit back almost instantly.
Tomas Araujo was penalised for a foul on Alejandro Balde in the penalty box and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski cooly converted, levelling the score at 1-1.
In the aftermath of the penalty, the visitors dominated and looked like they may to complete control of the game, but it ended up being the complete opposite. A calamitous error from Wojciech Szczesny led to Benfica retaking the lead. The Polish goalkeeper rushed out from his box to try and intercept a ball in behind the Barca defence, but he completely missed the ball, booting his team-mate Balde instead and leaving Pavlidis to tap into an empty net.
As if things were not already bad for Barca, they conceded a third eight minutes later. This time Benfica were awarded a penalty after Szczesny made a mess of things again, taking out Kerem Akturkoglu. Pavlidis stepped up and secured his hat-trick, leaving Hansi Flick's men with a mountain to climb.
The second half did not ease off. At 3-1 down, Benfica were happy for the visitors to control possession, but they did not anticipate their second goal happening in the way that it did.
Anatolii Turbin, with what looked like a routine kick out from his own box, flew into the face of Raphinha and back into the net, making it 3-2. And just as Barca had got themselves back into the game, it was taken away from them again. Ronald Araujo turned a cross in for an own goal, putting control back in the hands of his opponent.
Flick's side were handed a penalty after Lamine Yamal was taken down with fifteen minutes to go and Lewandowski converted his second of the night.
Four minutes from time, substitute Eric Garcia broke Benfica hearts with an equaliser, heading home from close range, still with a few minutes left on the clock.
It seemed inevitable at that point that Barca would find a winner, and they did. After being denied a penalty, the hosts had a lack of bodies back and Raphinha was released into opposition territory. The Brazilian forward cut inside on his left foot before finishing cooly and rounding off a Champions League classic.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Estadio da Luz…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Wojciech Szczesny (3/10):
The former Arsenal goalkeeper was at fault for two goals, conceding a penalty for one of them. He can have some credit for a big save in the final minutes at 4-4.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Like most of the Barcelona backline, no-one seemed to know what they were doing defensively. The Frenchman was turned around multiple times as Benfica beat the high line time and time again.
Ronald Araujo (6/10):
Was arguably the best of a bad bunch at the back but will be disappointed to have scored an own goal just after Barca had got back into the game at 3-2.
Pau Cubarsi (5/10):
If he had managed to get across his man in the opening minutes, Benfica's first goal would never have gone in and the match may not have been played at such a frantic pace.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Was caught out of position multiple times throughout the match and failed to communicate with his goalkeeper for the hosts' second goal, but won his side a penalty which saves him from a dismal score.
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Gavi (5/10):
Cut a frustrated figure in Lisbon and was often pulled up for flying into tackles as his side chased the game. Was unsurprisingly replaced.
Marc Casado (5/10):
Was caught in possession several times in the middle of the park and only lasted an hour.
Pedri (8/10):
The young Spaniard did act as a source of inspiration going forward, connecting well with his forwards and dictating the tempo in midfield, picking up an assist for his efforts.
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Lamine Yamal (7/10):
Did not have his best night, misplacing a few passes and losing possession in areas he usually would not. But Yamal was still bright and integral in helping mount a comeback.
Robert Lewandowski (7/10):
Scored his penalties with conviction and linked the play up well to drag his side back into the game.
Raphinha (8/10):
Was relatively quiet compared to his usual standards but still bagged a brace. He had no clue about his first as a kick from the goalkeeper cannoned back off his head and in, but the second was pure class, winning the game with the final kick.
AFPSubs & Manager
Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
Introduced fresh legs and ensured the visitors stayed on the front foot in the closing stages.
Fermin Lopez (6/10):
Was at the centre of controversy after appearing to commit a foul in his own box before Barca went on to score the winner.
Eric Garcia (9/10):
Scored the all-important equaliser to help rescue the game for his side.
Ferran Torres (7/10):
Brought pace and energy to the pitch and provided the assist for the winning goal.
Gerard Martin (N/A):
Replaced Yamal for the final two minutes.
Hansi Flick (8/10):
His substitutions made the impact he was hoping for, but he will have some choice words for his players after Barca's first-half performance.
