Witness the thrilling Champions League clash where Pavlidis scores a hat-trick, yet Barcelona edges out Benfica 5-4 in a breathtaking encounter.
Introduction:
The UEFA Champions League handed another exciting night of football as Barcelona and Benfica clashed in a high-octane encounter in Lisbon, with the game marking more brilliance, drama, and unimaginable twists a football fan can ask for. Here is a breakdown of an electrifying evening that saw both teams show skill, resilience, and determination.
See also: Ferran Torres and Raphinha Shine in Barcelona’s 3-2 Victory Over Dortmund
A Dream Start for Benfica
The match could hardly have started any better for the hosts, Benfica. In the first minutes, Carreras curled in a perfect low cross from the left, allowing Vangelis Pavlidis to latch onto the bouncing ball and confidently slot it into the left corner. The early goal sent the crowd into a frenzy and set the tone for an action-packed first half.

Benfica doubled down on their offensive intent when Tomás Araújo switched play from the right flank to find Carreras, who had ample space on the left. Schjelderup’s intelligent off-the-ball movement created an opening for Pavlidis, who finished clinically for his second goal. Within minutes, Benfica found themselves in dreamland.
See also: Liverpool’s Salah Hits Milestone in Hard-Fought 2-1 Win Over Lille

VAR Drama and Lewandowski’s Calm Penalty
Barcelona fought their way back into the game through Robert Lewandowski. A VAR review overturned a previous decision, awarding a penalty after Benfica’s No. 44 stepped on an opponent’s foot while trying to play the ball.
See also: Barça Thrash Valencia 7-1: A Spectacular Display of Dominance
Lewandowski’s experience came to the fore as he coolly converted the penalty. He approached with a measured run-up, waited for goalkeeper Trubin to commit, and calmly stroked the ball into the bottom-right corner. Despite the lack of clear-cut chances, this moment boosted Barcelona’s confidence and helped them assert control in midfield.

Pavlidis Steals the Show
The first half belonged to Pavlidis, who displayed remarkable composure and finishing ability. After capitalizing on a mistake by Szczęsny, who failed to clear a ball over the top, Pavlidis restored Benfica’s lead with a simple tap-in into an open net. He then completed his hat-trick with a well-taken penalty, sending Szczęsny the wrong way.
This outstanding achievement made Pavlidis only the second Greek player in the Champions League to achieve a hat-trick, after Kostas Mitroglou. A 24-year-old forward, he had scored just one Champions League goal this season before the match but added three to his tally within 30 minutes.

Resilience from Barcelona
Despite Benfica’s dominance in the first half, Barcelona showed incredible resilience to stage a comeback in the second. Raphinha played a key role in turning the tide, starting with an unusual goal where Trubin’s attempted clearance ricocheted off the forward’s head and into the net from outside the box.
The game entered a chaotic phase, with both teams creating chances. Schjelderup’s dangerous cross forced an own goal from Ronald Araújo, restoring Benfica’s two-goal cushion. But Barcelona didn’t back down, and Lewandowski converted another penalty with the same precision as his first, finding the right corner once again.

Raphinha Leads Barcelona’s Charge
As the clock ticked down, Barcelona pressed relentlessly for an equalizer. Pedri delivered a sublime cross from the left, which substitute Eric García met with a towering header to level the score. The momentum shifted in Barcelona’s favor, and Raphinha sealed the victory with a sensational late goal. Cutting in from the right, he unleashed a low shot into the near corner, leaving Trubin with no chance.
Raphinha’s contribution earned him the Player of the Match award, with UEFA’s Technical Observer Panel praising his decisive impact and overall quality throughout the game.

Historical Feats and High Stakes
The match was a spectacle not only for its entertainment value but also for its historical significance. Pavlidis joined an exclusive list of players who have scored hat-tricks against Barcelona in the Champions League, alongside legends like Faustino Asprilla, Andriy Shevchenko, and Kylian Mbappé.
Benfica, meanwhile, became only the second team to score four goals against Barcelona in a Champions League group-stage match, a feat previously achieved by Dynamo Kyiv in 1997. However, it wasn’t enough to secure victory, as Barcelona’s determination and tactical adjustments proved decisive.

Final Thoughts: A Night to Remember
In the end, the match encapsulated everything that makes the Champions League special—unpredictability, drama, and world-class performances. While Pavlidis’s first-half heroics put Benfica on the brink of an incredible win, Barcelona’s persistence and quality saw them stage a remarkable comeback.
The thrilling 5-4 victory showcased the resilience of a Barcelona side led by experienced players like Lewandowski and Raphinha, who rose to the occasion when it mattered most. For Benfica, the result was heartbreaking, but their performance, particularly from Pavlidis, will be remembered as a shining moment in their European campaign.