Barcelona dishes out considered one of their worst halves of soccer after the opening whistle at Estadio da Luz final evening.
Benfica went forward early with the primary purpose early on the evening, however that was the one regular purpose for over the following hour.
Barcelona equalised via a penalty earlier than Wojciech Szczesny collided with Alejandro Balde to present Benfica an open purpose. The Polish goalkeeper then gave away a penalty handy the hosts a 3-1 lead.
Barcelona then pulled one again after the hosts’ goalkeeper erred and compelled a purpose off Raphinha’s head however Ronald Araujo continued a comedy of errors with an personal purpose to make it 4-2 within the hosts’ favour.
Lewandowski, nonetheless, pulled one again from the penalty spot as soon as extra after Yamal gained a penalty. Eric Garcia scored a late equalizer and Raphinha closed the sport out with a late strike on a counter-attack to present his facet the win.
Barça Common brings you the participant rankings from Benfica 4-5 Barcelona.
Wojciech Szczesny: 5
Szczesny had a howler. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photographs)
A horror present from the Polish goalkeeper in what’s going to go down as one of many worst performances from a shot-stopper in Barcelona historical past. Whereas Szczesny didn’t make any poor saves, his decision-making and positioning have been bizarrely poor.
Got here unnecessarily off his line and collided with Balde to present Benfica their second purpose earlier than lunging into an pointless problem to offer away a penalty and a 3rd purpose minutes later.
Alejandro Balde: 8
The left-back was considered one of Barcelona’s higher gamers within the first half as he held up nicely defensively and likewise made penetrating runs within the remaining third to stretch the hosts on the left.
Was to not blame a lot for conceding Benfica’s second purpose as he was taken down by Barcelona’s goalkeeper unexpectedly. Received the penalty for Barcelona’s preliminary equaliser.
Pau Cubarsi: 7.5
Not a lot flawed Cubarsi did towards the Portuguese giants, particularly as two of the three objectives noticed him helpless in defence after Szczesny’s blunders.
Was alert in his positioning and dependable as at all times along with his distribution however was typically troubled by Benfica’s fast counters that wanted him to make very important split-second selections.
Ronald Araujo: 7
A strong show from the Uruguayan star regardless of the objectives conceded as he was alert to Benfica’s counters and minimize them off on quite a few events.
Received 100% of his duels within the first half, performed a essential function in taking part in out from the again and was nice along with his distribution each with quick and lengthy passes.
Scored an avoidable personal purpose to revive Benfica’s two-goal cushion.
Jules Kounde: 5.5
A relatively disappointing half from Kounde who seemed in all places and haphazard along with his selections.
Was one of many major culprits for Benfica’s early purpose and let the hosts counter on his flank with ease via the sport.
His distribution was additionally comparatively poor in comparison with current video games and it’s protected to say it was considered one of his extra forgettable outings in current weeks.
Marc Casado: 5
The often dependable Casado appeared overwhelmed by Benfica’s bodily presence and stress at Estadio da Luz as he was largely overrun by the Portuguese midfield. Struggled to maintain up with them when it comes to tempo or physicality.
Pedri: 9
The Canary Islander managed the sport when he obtained the prospect, however Barcelona’s recreation scenario didn’t assist him a lot or present him any time to ascertain momentum in Barcelona’s favour.
Got here out once more within the second half as Barcelona’s greatest participant, seeking to management the tempo and break strains along with his passes.
Earned a deserved help for Barcelona’s eventual equalizer with a beautiful cross.
Gavi: 6.5
Not Gavi’s greatest efficiency by any measure as he struggled to get between Benfica’s strains and create a menace as he has in earlier video games.
Had one large probability to attain however had his volley saved by Anatoliy Trubin.
Lamine Yamal: 7
The younger protege was stored largely below test by Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras who not solely managed to maintain Yamal quiet but in addition supply attacking choices for his workforce.
Was man-marked for many components of the sport and didn’t get any time to settle into the proceedings. Received the second penalty on the evening.
Raphinha: 8
Raphinha scored the match winner. (Photograph by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Photographs)
A really quiet first half for the Brazilian who was stored silent by the host defence. Not provided a lot house between the strains, Raphinha didn’t hyperlink up with the buildup as a lot as he would have favored and was stored out of the field.
Had an opportunity to tug one again late within the half however dragged it huge. Acquired his purpose after the hour mark when Trubin slammed the ball towards his head and it rebounded again into the Benfica purpose.
Got here up clutch on a late counter-attack to win the sport for Barcelona in sensational model.
Robert Lewandowski: 8
Lewandowski transformed two penalties towards Benfica. (Photograph by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Photographs)
Stepped up and calmly transformed Barcelona’s penalty however turned a goal for Benfica’s press given his comparatively poor press resistance and first contact. Didn’t drop deep as in earlier video games and acted like a pure goal man for Barcelona.
Took it upon himself to step up once more within the second half from the spot and transformed as soon as extra to make it 4-3.
Eric Garcia: 6.5
Got here on as an influence substitute and rating the much-needed equaliser to cease the bleeding and shut the sport at 4-4.