Barcelona Mounts Great Comeback, Liverpool Maintains Perfect Record

Barcelona mounted a thrilling 5-4 come-from-behind victory against Benfica to progress to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, while Liverpool booked its spot after a 2-1 victory over 10-man Lille at Anfield.

Spanish giants Barcelona’s scored deep into stoppage time record a 5-4 comeback win at Benfica, after a hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis gave the hosts a two-goal halftime lead.

Greek striker Pavlidis opened the scoring after two minutes with a tap-in, before Robert Lewandowski equalised from the spot as VAR awarded the visitors a penalty.

Pavlidis restored Benfica’s lead, capitalising on a poor run out by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who left the forward with an open goal.

The 26-year-old bagged his third with a penalty after Szczesny fouled Kerem Akturkoglu on the half-hour mark.

A blunder by Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin also proved costly as he cleared the ball straight onto Raphinha’s head and into the net for a bizarre goal as the visitors pulled one back in the 64th minute.3-2!.

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Barcelona’s defensive misfortune continued and Benfica extended its lead four minutes later thanks to an own goal from Ronald Araujo. However, Lewandowski then scored his second with another clinical penalty in the 78th. 4-3!

Substitute Eric Garcia then equalised with a towering header from a fine Pedri cross three minutes from time, before Raphinha found the winner six minutes into stoppage time from a quick counter-attack that stunned the home crowd.

“It was an incredible victory. The team didn’t lose their heads throughout the game,” defender Garcia said. “When you start the game losing, it messes your plans.

“It’s important to qualify for the next round, we came with this objective in mind.”

Liverpool 2-1 Lille

Liverpool booked its spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after claiming a 2-1 victory agaihst 10-man Lille, at Anfield.

Egyptian Mohamed Salah netted his 50th European goal for Liverpool in the 34th minute when he sprinted onto a long pass from Curtis Jones to finish brilliantly.

Despite being reduced to 10 men when Aissa Mandi was shown his second yellow card in the 59th minute , Jonathan David levelled for the visitors three minutes later.

Liverpool quickly regained the lead when a corner was headed out to the edge of the box and Elliott fired a crisp shot that took a wild deflection into the net in the 67th minute.

With one game of the league phase remaining, Liverpool stay top while Lille are 11th with 13 points.

“Special is, I think, the word that describes Mo’s performance at this club,” Slot said.

“Or maybe there are even better words to use, but he’s been outstanding for this club for so many years, and still he does. Today, great goal.”

Tuesdays UEFA Champions League Results

 

 

UEFA Champions League/Reuters/ Chidi Nwoke.