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Benfica
2024-25
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BEN vs BAR
UEFA Champions League
Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon
Benfica
vs
Barcelona
0
FT
1
(1st Leg)
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 0 - 1
Before these two sides meet again next week, Benfica will face Nacional in the Primeira Liga, while Barcelona are set to host Osasuna in La Liga. Thanks for joining Tribe for this coverage. There's plenty more European football action tomorrow. Until then, this is Sanil Karan signing off.
Szczesny was called into action early in the second half, making crucial saves to deny Pavlidis and Fredrik Aursnes, but there was little he could do when Raphinha capitalized on a mistake by Antonio Silva, stealing the ball and curling a powerful shot into the bottom right corner to give Barcelona the lead on the hour mark. Bruno Lage made several attacking changes in an effort to equalize, with Andrea Belotti seemingly earning a penalty late on, but he was offside. Joao Rego, Renato Sanches, and Arthur Cabral all had chances to level the score, but despite the pressure, Barcelona's ten men held firm, finishing with a slim advantage heading into the second leg.
Benfica almost took the lead from the very first whistle as Barcelona gave up possession immediately, allowing Kerem Akturkoglu to have a first-time effort tipped around the post by Wojciech Szczesny. The hosts continued to press, with Leandro Barreiro's shot going over the bar shortly after, but Barcelona began to settle. Despite some near misses, including a remarkable double save from Anatoliy Trubin to deny Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona's luck ran out when Pau Cubarsi was sent off for a foul on Vangelis Pavlidis. With Szczesny continuing to shine with crucial saves, Barcelona were fortunate to escape further damage as we went to half time goalless.
90+5'
Renato Sanches plays a quick pass to Rego on the right, and after a quick exchange of passes, Rego tries to deliver a cross into the box. However, Balde is quick to close him down, blocking the cross and preventing any danger for Barcelona.
90+4'
SAVE! Benfica continue to probe for an opening as Renato Sanches takes a shot from distance towards the right side of the goal. However, Szczesny is alert and produces a fine save, diving to his left to push the ball away from danger. The Polish goalkeeper has been exceptional today, and it's hard to argue against him being the Man of the Match.
90+3'
Pedri launches a long free kick from midfield, but Barcelona are largely content to sit back, with few runners pushing forward. The ball sails towards the attacking third, but the lack of movement from Barca players means it’s easily dealt with by Benfica's defense. The Catalans seem focused on holding onto their slim lead.
90+2'
Pedri stayed down after that late challenge on his right ankle, clearly in some pain. However, after receiving treatment on the pitch, he’s able to get back on his feet and continue. The young midfielder seems to have recovered and is ready to rejoin the action.
90+2'
Pedri
Injury Break
90+1'
Rego catches Pedri late in midfield with a reckless challenge, and the referee is quick to brandish a yellow card. It’s a clear foul as Rego mistimed his tackle, and Pedri looks to be in some discomfort.
J. Rego
90+1'
+4
89'
Dahl takes the corner short to begin with, and when it comes back to him, he delivers a dangerous cross into the box. Arthur Cabral is poised to strike, but Barcelona's defense reacts quickly, scrambling to clear the ball away just in time. Benfica continue to apply pressure, but Barca hold firm in their efforts to protect their lead.
88'
Dahl delivers a corner from the right for Benfica, but Szczesny is quick off his line to punch the ball clear, relieving the pressure. Benfica's attack is thwarted as Barcelona's goalkeeper remains composed in dealing with the set-piece.
87'
Akturkoglu gets the ball on the left and delivers a cross, but it's blocked initially. He quickly recovers and tries again, sending a second cross towards Rego, but Ronald Araujo is there to make a crucial clearance and deny Benfica any further opportunity.
85'
Dahl switches the play to Carreras on the left, but the space quickly closes down, forcing Benfica to retreat and play the ball backwards. The pressure from Barcelona is evident, limiting Benfica's attacking options. As a result, Benfica are forced to reset and try to build from the back again.
84'
Renato Sanches replaces Orkun Kokcu in midfield, adding fresh legs and energy to Benfica's attack. Meanwhile, Arthur Cabral comes on for Pavlidis, as Benfica look to introduce a new option in the final third.
R. Sanches
O. Kökçü
84'
Arthur
V. Pavlidis
84'
83'
NO PENALTY! Belotti controls a long pass from Carreras and skillfully cuts inside Martinez to make his way into the box. As he shifts the ball past Szczesny, he goes down after what seemed like a soft touch, and the referee awards a penalty. However, the offside flag is raised against Belotti and the referee quickly overturns his decision. VAR confirms the decision, ruling out the penalty.
81'
Kokcu shifts the ball out to Carreras on the left, who cuts inside and delivers a cross towards the far right post. Gerard Martin is there to meet it and heads it clear, ensuring Barcelona maintain their defensive shape. Despite the dangerous delivery, Martin's intervention keeps the pressure off Szczesny's goal for now.
79'
Two changes for Barcelona as Gerard Martin comes on to replace Lewandowski, and Casado replaces de Jong in midfield. The substitutions aim to freshen up the attack and add some energy in the middle of the park as Barca look to see out the match.
79'
M. Casado
F. de Jong
78'
G. Martin
R. Lewandowski
78'
SAVE! Rego drives forward on the right, cutting inside before delivering a low cross that finds Kerem Akturkoglu just outside the box. Akturkoglu takes a quick shot, but its too straight, lacking the power and precision needed to trouble Wojciech Szczesny. The goalkeeper easily collects the weak attempt.
76'
Rego picks out Dahl inside the right of the box, and the substitute shows great skill to turn past Balde. He then looks to deliver a low cross into the danger area, but Araujo is quick to react and clears the ball with a vital intervention.
74'
Kokcu sends a brilliant pass out to Rego on the right, and the substitute delivers a perfect cross into the box. However, Kounde is alert and rises high to head the ball clear, denying any potential danger.