Football

Champions League Round of 16: Barcelona Player Ratings vs Benfica – Szczesny and Raphinha Star As 10-Man Blaugrana Seal 1-0 Away Win

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By
Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published06 Mar 2025

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La Liga leaders Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 victory at Estadio da Luz in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Portuguese outfit Benfica on Wednesday night, 5th March. 

The Blaugrana, who came into the match on the back of an emphatic 4-0 victory over league rivals Real Sociedad, were the outright favourites, but an early red card complicated matters. Highly rated young centre-back Pau Cubarsi was caught off-guard as Vangelis Pavlidis burst through the centre of the defence. Panicking, the 18-year-old lunged in for a challenge, bringing him down just outside the penalty area. The referee unhesitantly went to his pocket and gave Cubarsi marching orders just 22 minutes into the game.

Benfica put pressure on 10-man Barcelona, committing men forward in search of the opener. Luckily for Barca, their goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was at the top of his game, making a series of excellent saves to keep the hosts at bay.

Just past the hour mark, Benfica defender Antonio Silva overhit his to Alvaro Carreras, allowing Raphinha to intercept the ball. The in-form Brazilian dashed forward and found the back of the net with a powerful drive from outside the box.

Benfica’s last chance of the game came in the fourth minute of added time, as Renato Sanches dispatched a fine strike from 20 yards out. Szczesny, however, was equal to it, and comfortably preserved the visitors’ clean sheet.

Barcelona Player Ratings in the Champions League Round of 16 Clash at Benfica

Wojciech Szczesny (10/10):

Wojciech Szczesny was easily the man of the match on Wednesday. Made a whopping eight saves, preventing 1.18 goals. Also played 28 accurate es and seven long balls, while commanding his box to perfection.

Jules Kounde (8/10):

Coach Hansi Flick has started Jules Kounde in every single Champions League game this season, and it is not difficult to see why. The Frenchman was once again excellent against Benfica, striking the perfect balance between attacking and defending. He played six es into the final third and completed 11 clearances.

Pau Cubarsi (1/10):

Pau Cubarsi had the worst game of his Barcelona career on Wednesday. Not only was he caught on his heels, but he also made the suicidal decision to go for a lunge. His recklessness denied Barca a comfortable win.

Inigo Martinez (8/10):

Inigo Martinez, 33, had to use all of his experience against Benfica on Wednesday. He instilled confidence in his teammates after Pau Cubarsi’s dismissal and had a near-flawless game. His only noteworthy mistake came in the second minute of first-half injury time, as he picked up a yellow card for dissent.

Alex Balde (7.5/10):

La Masia graduate Alex Balde did well against Kerem Akturkoglu, keeping him in check for the majority of the game. Also linked well with Raphinha up top and carried the ball with confidence, completing three dribbles.

Frenkie de Jong (7.5/10):

Many Barcelona fans probably would have preferred to see Marc Casado start on Wednesday, but Hansi Flick’s decision to field Frenkie de Jong ultimately to be a masterstroke. The Dutchman gave Barca control in the middle of the part, expertly dictating the tempo of the game. He completed 48 es with 91% accuracy, won two aerial duels, and made four recoveries.

Pedri (8.5/10):

The heartbeat of Barcelona’s midfield, Pedri was the most accurate er on Wednesday, completing 60 es with 94% accuracy. He also created a couple of chances, pulled off two dribbles, and made 11 recoveries.

Lamine Yamal (8/10):

The world-class 17-year-old winger tormented the Benfica defence all the way until his substitution in the 56th minute. He had three shots, pulled off two dribbles, and delivered three accurate long balls.

Dani Olmo (6/10):

Unfortunately, a victim of Pau Cubarsi’s dismissal, as Hansi Flick hooked Dani Olmo for Ronald Araujo in the 28th minute. Before coming off, he created a chance, had one effort on target, and played four es into the final third.

Raphinha (9/10): 

Raphinha was razor-sharp against Benfica, pushing hard from start to finish, looking for openings, and scoring a belter of a goal when the moment came. The winner aside, Raphinha created two chances, delivered two accurate crosses, and won three ground duels.

Robert Lewandowski (6.5/10): 

Not the best night for Robert Lewandowski. Failed to convert a rebound in the first half.

Substitutes

Ronald Araujo (8/10):

Brilliantly filled in for Pau Cubarsi. Made four blocks and performed seven clearances.

Ferran Torres (6/10):

Came on for Lamine Yamal. Did not get involved much.

Gerard Martin (6/10):

Played for just 12 minutes. Completed five es.

Marc Casado (6.5/10):

Put in an industrious shift. Won both his tackles and came out on top in three of four ground duels.