
BARÇA MADE HISTORY IN LISBON
BRUTAL: The records set by Barcelona in the Champions after coming back against Benfica
Published:22/01/2025 - 04:26h
Updated:22/01/2025 - 05:10h
FC Barcelona set two records in the Champions League after the incredible comeback by Hansi Flick's team in the second half against Benfica (4-5)
The victory of FC Barcelona against Benfica (4-5) allowed Hansi Flick's team to break two records in the UEFA Champions League. The Catalans were down by two goals (4-2) at the 77th minute, making them the first team to come back from such a deficit after the 71st minute while playing away. The goals from Robert Lewandowski (78', pen.), Eric García (86') and Raphinha (90+6') completed the epic comeback.
Additionally, Greek Vangelis Pavlidis repeated the story of Serbian Milinko Pantic. Both were able to score a 'hat-trick' against Barça in the first half hour of the match, but ended up losing 5-4. In Pantic's case, it happened in a quarter-final tie of the Copa del Rey against Atlético de Madrid, played on March 12, 1997.
The Catalans were losing 0-3 at halftime at Camp Nou, but came back in the second half with three goals from Ronaldo Nazário and another pair of goals scored by Figo and Pizzi. After the 2-2 draw in the first leg played at the Vicente Calderón, Sir Bobby Robson's team won 7-6 on aggregate. Later, Barça would eliminate UD Las Palmas (7-0 on aggregate) before defeating Betis in the final (3-2).
Unprecedented: A 5-4 in the Champions!
Moreover, the victory at Estadio Da Luz allowed Barcelona to become the first club to win a match 5-4 in the entire history of the UEFA Champions League. The Catalans also achieved this feat while playing away, which adds greater value to what Hansi Flick's team accomplished. A result that has occurred several times is 4-3, including the final of the 55-56 edition (the first European Cup final) between Real Madrid and Stade Reims, which ended with that score in favor of the 'merengues'.
Last season, in fact, Bayern Munich had defeated Manchester United 4-3 in the group stage. For Barça, Tuesday's victory marked their second win at the 'eagles' home. Previously, the Catalans had only managed to win 0-2 in the group stage of the 2012-13 season, with goals from Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas.