In a thrilling match on March 4, 2025, FC Barcelona defeated Benfica 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ansu Fati secured the victory for the Blaugrana, who now take a crucial advantage into the second leg at home.
Barcelona opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Robert Lewandowski found the back of the net with a powerful strike from inside the box. The Polish striker’s goal was a result of a well-executed team play that saw the ball quickly moved from the midfield to the attacking third.
Benfica responded shortly after, equalizing in the 43rd minute as João Mário scored a stunning long-range effort, sending the home fans into a frenzy. However, Barcelona regained the lead just before halftime through Ansu Fati, who finished expertly from a tight angle, making it 2-1 going into the break.
In the second half, Benfica put pressure on Barcelona’s defense, but the visitors held firm, aided by a standout performance from goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who made several key saves to maintain their lead. Barcelona, under the management of Xavi Hernández, will feel optimistic as they prepare for the return leg at Camp Nou, set for March 13, 2025.
Post-match, Xavi expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “We showed character today and managed to fight back after conceding. The players executed our game plan well, and we’re looking forward to finishing the job at home.”
The victory puts Barcelona in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals, as they take a one-goal lead back to their home ground. The atmosphere in Lisbon was electric, with over 60,000 fans in attendance, but ultimately it was Barcelona’s tactical discipline and experience that shone through in this high-stakes encounter. With this impressive performance, they will aim to capitalize on their momentum in the upcoming fixture.
