Barcelona Outclass Benfica 3-1 to Enter UCL Quarters

Raphinha scored twice and Lamine Yamal scored a remarkable goal in a dominant first half as Barcelona defeated Benfica 3-1 in their Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday, progressing to the quarterfinals with a 4-1 aggregate win.

After a 1-1 draw in Germany, Lille and Borussia Dortmund will play on Wednesday. Barca will play the winner. Yamal, a teenager, was unstoppable down the right channel and created most of Barca’s scoring opportunities.

A magnificent solo move by the 17-year-old Spain winger left two opponents on the ground before crossing for Raphinha to score with a close-range shot in the 11th minute. Two minutes later, Nicolas Otamendi headed in a corner kick for Benfica, but Barca kept pressing, with Yamal proving too much for left defender Samuel Dahl.

Yamal set up chances for Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo and missed a low shot from the edge of the box before putting the home team back in ahead in the 28th minute. He beat a confused Dahl and sent a left-footed shot into Anatoliy Trubin’s top-right corner.

Yamal became the youngest player to score and assist in a Champions League game at 17 years and 241 days, surpassing Basel’s Breel Embolo’s 2014 record by 22 days. Raphinha went top of the Champions League scoring chart with 11 goals after a fast counter-attack in the 42nd minute extended Barca’s lead.

Jardel

Jardel, Rivaldo, Kaka, Neymar, and Firmino have 10 Champions League goals, but the 28-year-old striker broke the mark.

Barcelona won the game after halftime against a Benfica team that lacked the will and firepower to threaten them in a second half that looked like training.

Barca are in contention for three major titles after a 17-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. They lead LaLiga and reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals, drawing 4-4 with Atletico Madrid in the first leg before the April 2 return.

Movistar Plus: “We are real candidates on all fronts,” Raphinha

We expected Benfica to be strong and knew how to win. This was our priority. We won and performed well in the first half. Yamal’s goal is amazing. His nature is shown. A great player. With him, we can win anything.”