Wed Jan 22 20:52:14 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Edges Out Benfica in Thrilling 5-4 Champions League Victory

**Lisbon, Portugal** – In a dramatic UEFA Champions League clash at the Estadio da Luz, Barcelona secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over Benfica in a match punctuated by goals, controversy, and a relentless downpour. The win extends Barcelona’s unbeaten streak in the Champions League group stage to six matches.

The match was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Benfica’s Pavlidis opened the scoring early with a goal, quickly followed by a second, capitalizing on a goalkeeper error by Szczesny. Lewandowski responded with a penalty for Barcelona, converting after a VAR review overturned the initial call.

The game continued its back-and-forth nature. Pavlidis completed a hat-trick, further extending Benfica’s lead. However, Barcelona fought back relentlessly, with goals from Eric Garcia, Lewandowski (again from the penalty spot after a Yamal foul), and a bizarre own goal by Trubin. Raphinha added another goal for Barcelona, securing the dramatic 5-4 win.

The match saw several key moments, including a penalty save by Trubin for Barcelona and a string of close calls for both sides. Substitutions for both teams impacted the game’s flow, with Di Maria and Bah entering for Benfica, while Garcia and Torres replaced Balde and Kounde for Barcelona.

Despite manager Hansi Flick’s cautious pre-match comments focusing solely on the Benfica game, Barcelona’s victory showcases their attacking prowess and determination on the European stage. The match, broadcast on Sony Sports Network and live-streamed on SonyLiv, will be remembered as one of the most exciting Champions League encounters of the season.

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