Benfica vs Barcelona 0-1: UEFA Champions League last 16 – as it happened

Manchester United have unveiled plans for their new stadium.

The new two billion pound ($2.59 billion) 100,000-seat stadium would be the biggest in Britain and would sit next to the existing Old Trafford.

“Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford,” United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said in a statement on Tuesday.

Read more: Manchester United new stadium plan for Old Trafford announced

A 10-man Barcelona side managed to pull off a great escape in Lisbon to come away with a 0-1 result.

Benfica had 26 total shots but came up against a stubborn Szczesny, who was simply magnificent on the night.

They will hope to extend their aggregate in the return leg at Camp Nou on March 11.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of today’s fascinating encounter, and till the next time, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

Raphinha gives Barcelona a first-leg lead ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/LNdCKY3KD4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 5, 2025

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick shared his thoughts as well.

“It’s clear that he’s a different [Wojciech] Szczesny. In every game, he has more confidence and we defend better. I know he can play at this level because I see him every day in training,” he said.

On Cubarsi’s red card: “This happens in football matches, and it happened to us today. Every one makes mistakes. The most important thing is how we respond, and the reaction was very good.

“The tie it’s not over yet. I know we’re in a good position now, but I also know that anything is possible in football. The second leg will be complicated.”

Raphinha’s game by numbers vs. Benfica:

52 touches
4 duels won
3 shots
2/2 crosses completed
2 chance
1 big chance created
1 goal scored
0.45 xA

9 goals so far in the Champions League. Unplayable at the moment. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/uPuOmA24fk

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 5, 2025

Pedri shared his thoughts after the match about the Pau Cubarsi sendoff: “I think it was a foul on Frenkie de Jong before Cubarsi’s foul that ended in a red card.

“[Wojciech] Szczesny saved us many times. I am grateful to have him in the team. He is a great player.

“He saved a lot [tonight]. One was at the start where, if they score, you start the game on a bad footing. Between the sticks, he’s a big presence and it’s great to have him.

“The last time I don’t think [Szczesny] left here very happy [after the 4-5 win against Benfica in January]. Today we knew how to defend.

“After the red, we knew exactly what to do. Stay together at the back, defend as a block and take advantage of our chances with the players we have up front.”

PLAYER OF THE MATCH! 🦸♂️ pic.twitter.com/QU7wJtnyKZ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 5, 2025

7 – Wojciech Szczesny 🇵🇱 has made eight saves against #Benfica, a record for any @FCBarcelona goalkeeper without conceding a goal in a single @ChampionsLeague game since at least the 2003/04 season. Bolt. pic.twitter.com/uDj4YWVTY9

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 5, 2025

Advantage Benfica.

Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí scythed down Vangelis Pavlidis when through on goal, becoming the second-youngest player in Champions League history to receive a straight red card (18 years, 42 days). pic.twitter.com/dQZkoLlezl

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) March 5, 2025

Raphinha has scored or assisted 43 goals this season. Only Mo Salah has been directly involved in more goals (52) in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues.

The 2nd BEST player in the world. 🌍 pic.twitter.com/FtrPxoVGRF

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 5, 2025

We have the updated final scores for Wednesday’s slate of Champions League matches:

• Feyenoord 0-2 Inter
• Bayern 3-0 Leverkusen
• Benfica 0-1 Barcelona
• PSG 0-1 Liverpool

Despite the referee allowing Benfica a few more minutes to try and force a result, Benfica are unable to produce anything.

Trubin and Szczesny were simply sensational during the night, and if it wasn’t for Raphinha’s goal, this could easily have finished as a goalless draw.

That is saying something when you consider the 26 shots Benfica had versus Barcelona’s 10.

Full-time: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

🔥🔥🔥 FULL TIME! 🔥🔥🔥#BenficaBarça @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/raPAPi6dCJ

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 5, 2025

Sanches fires a blistering shot from the left side, but the Polish keeper dives instinctively to his left to force a right-side corner.

Sanches provides the service, but Benfica are unable to probe any further. That should be the last passage of play.

90+5 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Just a few more minutes now for Barcelona to survive.

Benfica will be praying for a miracle now, as they have been desperate to equalise the scoreline.

90+1 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

For a harsh challenge from behind on Pedri, his name is entered into the referee’s book.

90+1 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

They are both from the right side.

Not much comes out of either though, and apart from an exciting delay in between for a possible Benfica penalty, play continues.

90 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

A pass is squared into the box from the left flank. Rego is by the right post, but is unable to control his attempted slide, sending the ball just past the upright.

The Barcelona defence breathe a bit easier once they see the trajectory of the ball.

88 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Arthur Cabral and Renato Sanches are brought on for Araujo and Kokcu.

85 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Belotti receives a ball from deep and tries to control it as he enters the box.

Araujo is close on him, but Szczesny rushes out to impede the forward and is pulled up by the referee.

The referee points to the spot, and the home team fans go wild. But hang on, the linesman had his flag up.

After a brief delay, VAR confirms that Belotti was indeed marginally offside, so the penalty call is overruled.

83 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Dahl’s delivery from the right side is precise, but Kounde is ultimately able to get it away downfield.

82 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Lewandowski, who has been quiet by his lofty standards, is taken off for Marc Casado.

De Jong is replaced as well, with Gerard Martin coming on in his place.

79 mins: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona