Barcelona's Raphinha hits back at Benfica 'insults' after win

In a thrilling Champions League encounter on January 21, 2025, Barcelona secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz, propelling them directly into the round of 16. 

The match began unfavorably for Barcelona, with Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis completing a hat-trick within the first 30 minutes, leading to a 3-1 advantage for the hosts at halftime. Pavlidis opened the scoring in the second minute, added a second after a defensive mishap, and netted a third from the penalty spot following a foul by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. 

Barcelona initiated their comeback in the 64th minute when Raphinha inadvertently scored by deflecting a clearance from Benfica's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin into the net. Despite a setback from a Ronald Araújo own goal, Barcelona persisted. Robert Lewandowski converted his second penalty in the 78th minute, and Eric García equalized with a header in the 86th minute. The decisive moment arrived in the 96th minute when Raphinha scored the winning goal, completing the remarkable turnaround. 

Post-match, Raphinha revealed that insults from Benfica supporters led to a tunnel altercation, stating, "When I was leaving the pitch, people were insulting me. I returned the insults. I know I shouldn't. It got heated with the Benfica players... It's normal after an ending like that to a match." 

Reflecting on his performance, Raphinha acknowledged being in peak form, with his two goals against Benfica bringing his season tally to 22 across all competitions. He emphasized the team's resilience, noting, "We never gave up and grabbed a win." 

Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, lauded the team's mentality, stating, "It's unbelievable. I was happy with one point, but with three it's much better." He also highlighted the importance of securing direct qualification to the round of 16, as it provides valuable time for training and recovery. 

This victory ensures Barcelona's progression in the Champions League, with their final group stage match against Atalanta offering an opportunity to further solidify their position.   

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