{"id":39818,"date":"2025-03-11T19:43:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T19:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=39818"},"modified":"2025-03-11T19:43:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T19:43:48","slug":"raphinha-leads-barcelona-to-the-champions-league-quarter-finals-with-a-brace-against-benfica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/raphinha-leads-barcelona-to-the-champions-league-quarter-finals-with-a-brace-against-benfica\/","title":{"rendered":"Raphinha leads Barcelona to the Champions League quarter finals with a brace against Benfica"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watch Champions League last 16 highlights here, as Barcelona cruised past Benfica to qualify for the quarter finals following a 3-1 win at the Camp Nou.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Raphinha leads Barcelona charge into Champions League last eight<\/h2>\n

Barcelona broke the deadlock early on at the Camp Nou, with their two majestic wingers linking up to break the deadlock after just 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

Following some dazzling footwork from Lamine Yamal on the right, the 17-year-old played a perfect ball to the back post with Raphinha<\/a> lying in wait to score in the third consecutive game against Benfica this year.<\/p>\n

It certainly didn’t take Benfica long to respond on the road, as the Portuguese side were able to equalise in the second leg just over a minute later. Nicolas Otamendi was able to power home a corner from close range, with his header silencing the stadium almost immediately.<\/p>\n

Despite Benfica’s resilience, the hosts were ahead again before half an hour had been played thanks to a stunning Yamal strike from the edge of the box which marked his first career Champions League<\/a> goal in the knockout phase.<\/p>\n

Barca had a third goal and one foot in the quarter final just before half time following a scintillating counter attack and despite some initial confusion from the referee, Raphinha had his second of the game confirmed right on the half time whistle.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian’s second was his 27th in all competitions this season and his 11th in the Champions League – making him the top scorer in this year’s tournament.<\/p>\n

The second half continued just as the first half ended, with chance after chance falling to Barcelona who were unable to convert.<\/p>\n

Barca’s biggest chance in the half fell to Frenkie de Jong about an hour in, with Jules Kounde finding his teammate at the back post thanks to a lovely ball into the box. De Jong wasn’t able to convert from close range though and Barcelona’s advantage remained at two goals.<\/p>\n

Benfica threw everything at their opponents in the second half but it was never enough against a strong Barcelona defence that was able to hold on without conceding in the second half.<\/p>\n

WATCH: Barcelona 3-1 Benfica Champions League highlights<\/h3>\n