Champions League: Barcelona to quarterfinals thanks to a super Yamal

Champions League: Barcelona to the quarterfinals thanks to a super Yamal

Barcelona è the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2024/2025 Champions League: Hansi Flick’s men, after the 1-0 win in the first leg in Portugal, also won in the return leg at home against Benfica 3-1, earning them a pass to the top eight teams of the continent’s top competition.

Once again the protagonist è was Lamine Yamal: the Catalans’ very young number 19 at 12' served the decisive assist to Raphinha after a splendid personal action and, after the momentary guest equalizer at 13' by veteran Otamendi, at 27' signed the 2-1 with a spectacular left-footed shot from the edge of the area.

Benfica hit a crossbar with Pavlidis, proving it was still fully in the game, but at 42' it conceded its third from Raphinha, served this time by Balde.

Resumed in balance, Barcelona è remained in control and Benfica tried to make itself dangerous to somehow reopen the qualifying talk. Szczesny foiled the few chances of the guests, and the result did not è change anymore. In the quarters, Barcelona will face the winner of the match between Borussia Dortmund and Lille.