Barcelona and Benfica will battle for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals when they meet in Tuesday’s last-16 second leg at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The Catalan giants hold a slight edge after their 1-0 first-leg win in Lisbon, where they played with 10 men for over 70 minutes.
Raphinha’s well-taken goal secured the victory, while Wojciech Szczęsny produced several crucial saves to deny Benfica. Barcelona’s weekend La Liga game against Osasuna was postponed following the passing of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia, giving them additional rest. Meanwhile, Benfica head into this clash in strong form after a 3-0 league victory over Nacional, with goals from Zeki Amdouni, Orkun Kökçü, and Vangelis Pavlidis.
Head-to-Head Record
Barcelona and Benfica have met 11 times in history, with the Spanish side winning five, the Portuguese team claiming two victories, and four matches ending in draws. Their most famous encounter was the 1961 European Cup final, where Benfica won 3-2 to claim their first title.
Seven of their last eight meetings have been in the group stages of the Champions League or European Cup. However, they also met in the quarter-finals of the 2005-06 Champions League, where Barcelona won 2-0 on aggregate after a goalless first leg.
Their latest high-scoring encounter came in January 2025, when Barcelona clinched a dramatic 5-4 win in the league phase of the Champions League. Just weeks later, they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win in Portugal to gain an advantage in this last-16 tie.
Key Players to Watch
- Barcelona:
- Raphinha – Scored the only goal in the first leg and has been a key attacking force for Hansi Flick’s side.
- Wojciech Szczęsny – The experienced goalkeeper was outstanding in the first leg and will be crucial in keeping Benfica at bay.
- Lamine Yamal – The teenage sensation offers pace, dribbling, and creativity in attack.
- Frenkie de Jong – Controls the midfield with his vision and ability to dictate play under pressure.
- Benfica:
- Vangelis Pavlidis – The Greek striker is Benfica’s top scorer and a constant threat inside the box.
- Orkun Kökçü – The Turkish playmaker’s vision and passing will be key to unlocking Barcelona’s defense.
- Nicolás Otamendi – The veteran defender provides leadership and solidity at the back.
- Ángel Di María – The experienced winger remains a creative force, capable of producing game-changing moments.
Last 10 Meetings
- March 5, 2025 – Benfica 0-1 Barcelona (Champions League Round of 16 First Leg)
- January 21, 2025 – Benfica 4-5 Barcelona (Champions League League Phase)
- November 23, 2021 – Barcelona 0-0 Benfica (Champions League Group Stage)
- September 29, 2021 – Benfica 3-0 Barcelona (Champions League Group Stage)
- December 5, 2012 – Barcelona 0-0 Benfica (Champions League Group Stage)
- October 2, 2012 – Benfica 0-2 Barcelona (Champions League Group Stage)
- April 5, 2006 – Barcelona 2-0 Benfica (Champions League Quarter-Final Second Leg)
- March 28, 2006 – Benfica 0-0 Barcelona (Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg)
- April 15, 1992 – Barcelona 2-1 Benfica (European Cup Group Stage)
- December 11, 1991 – Benfica 0-0 Barcelona (European Cup Group Stage)
With both teams eyeing a spot in the last eight, their key players will need to step up in this decisive clash.