Publish: 14:13, 12 Mar, 2025

Yamal, Raphinha fire Barca past Benfica into Champions League last eight

AFP
Yamal, Raphinha fire Barca past Benfica into Champions League last eight
Photo Credit: AFP

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha dazzled as Barcelona thumped Benfica 3-1 on Tuesday, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate.

Raphinha netted either side of a stunning Yamal strike as the Catalans dominated in the first half, building on their 1-0 last 16, first leg win in Lisbon.

Nicolas Otamendi had quickly levelled Raphinha's opener but the visitors were blown away at the Olympic Stadium as Barcelona progressed comfortably from the tie and produced some moments of brilliant attacking football.

Hansi Flick's side will face Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarter-finals as they aim to win the competition for the first time since 2015 and the era of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

"We are candidates to win everything," Raphinha told Movistar, with the club in the hunt for a potential treble.

"For me the most important thing is what we did as a team and I am very happy with this victory," he continued, before praising teenager Yamal.

"His goal was spectacular, it shows what Lamine is -- he's a spectacular player with tremendous quality."

Flick said Barca would play for late club doctor Carles Minarro, who died suddenly on Saturday ahead of the team's match against Osasuna, which was postponed, and the players observed a silence in his honour before kick-off.

"What happened made us arrive at this game even more determined to win," added Raphinha.

Five-time Champions League winners Barca took the lead after 11 minutes when Spain international Yamal burst into the area, chopped his way past Florentino and then mishit the ball across to Raphinha for a simple finish.

Benfica levelled within two minutes when Otamendi escaped Ronald Araujo to head home from a corner.

Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny excelled in the first leg as the Catalans claimed an impressive win with 10 men after Pau Cubarsi's red card, but might have done more to keep out Otamendi's effort.

However Barcelona, and particularly their wingers Yamal and Raphinha, were in sensational form and they quickly reclaimed their lead.

Bd-Pratidin English/ARK

More News
Atletico's Correa banned for five matches
Atletico's Correa banned for five matches
Maradona medical team on trial for 'horror theater' of his death
Maradona medical team on trial for 'horror theater' of his death
Does Liverpool’s Champions League exit to PSG reveal a flaw in the revamped competition?
Does Liverpool’s Champions League exit to PSG reveal a flaw in the revamped competition?
Kane revels in a statement win for Bayern Munich in the Champions League
Kane revels in a statement win for Bayern Munich in the Champions League
Australia, England to play historic 150th anniversary Test at MCG
Australia, England to play historic 150th anniversary Test at MCG
Winner of PSG's Liverpool clash will reach final says Luis Enrique
Winner of PSG's Liverpool clash will reach final says Luis Enrique
HRW asks ICC to suspend Afghanistan's membership
HRW asks ICC to suspend Afghanistan's membership
Maradona medical team on trial four years after icon's death
Maradona medical team on trial four years after icon's death
Australia to play England in historic day-night Test at MCG
Australia to play England in historic day-night Test at MCG
Mahmudullah opts to withdraw himself from central contract
Mahmudullah opts to withdraw himself from central contract
Bangladesh football team perform Umrah
Bangladesh football team perform Umrah
Brook withdraws from IPL to 'recharge' and focus on England
Brook withdraws from IPL to 'recharge' and focus on England
Latest News
Atletico's Correa banned for five matches
Atletico's Correa banned for five matches
8 minutes ago | Sports
France reaffirms support to Bangladesh for necessary reforms
France reaffirms support to Bangladesh for necessary reforms
28 minutes ago | National
DMP files 1533 cases against traffic rules violations
DMP files 1533 cases against traffic rules violations
39 minutes ago | City
Committee formed to review BB reserve heist
Committee formed to review BB reserve heist
49 minutes ago | Business
Any delay in holding polls creates scope for AL to implement plots
Any delay in holding polls creates scope for AL to implement plots
50 minutes ago | National
Plane that brought ex-Philippine leader takes off from UAE: tracking site
Plane that brought ex-Philippine leader takes off from UAE: tracking site
1 hour ago | International
World reacts to Ukraine-backed temporary ceasefire proposal by US
World reacts to Ukraine-backed temporary ceasefire proposal by US
1 hour ago | International
‘All-out diplomatic efforts are on to ensure dignified return of Rogingyas’
‘All-out diplomatic efforts are on to ensure dignified return of Rogingyas’
2 hours ago | National
China says to host Russia, Iran for nuclear talks this week
China says to host Russia, Iran for nuclear talks this week
2 hours ago | International
Govt renames 16 military establishments
Govt renames 16 military establishments
2 hours ago | National
Robberies in jewellery stores: Bajus demands urgent security measures
Robberies in jewellery stores: Bajus demands urgent security measures
2 hours ago | National
Gambian FM calls on CA, discusses ICJ case
Gambian FM calls on CA, discusses ICJ case
2 hours ago | National
Couple arrested over college VP Saifur murder
Couple arrested over college VP Saifur murder
3 hours ago | City
Social mobilisation needed to discourage youth smoking
Social mobilisation needed to discourage youth smoking
3 hours ago | National
DMP nabs 197 individuals by operating patrols, checkpoints
DMP nabs 197 individuals by operating patrols, checkpoints
3 hours ago | City
Salman, Atiqul & Mohibul shown arrested in new case
Salman, Atiqul & Mohibul shown arrested in new case
3 hours ago | National
9 Bangladeshi nabbed for running SIM scam in Malaysia
9 Bangladeshi nabbed for running SIM scam in Malaysia
3 hours ago | National
Biman passenger held with 400 grams gold at Ctg airport
Biman passenger held with 400 grams gold at Ctg airport
4 hours ago | City
Gas supply to remain off for 10hrs in parts of Dhaka Thursday
Gas supply to remain off for 10hrs in parts of Dhaka Thursday
4 hours ago | City
CEC to hold talks with chiefs of 19 foreign missions on  March 17
CEC to hold talks with chiefs of 19 foreign missions on March 17
4 hours ago | National
US, Russia spy chiefs agree to hold regular contacts
US, Russia spy chiefs agree to hold regular contacts
4 hours ago | International
Company tax return deadline extended to April 30
Company tax return deadline extended to April 30
4 hours ago | Business
Netanyahu prioritising politics over freeing Gaza captives
Netanyahu prioritising politics over freeing Gaza captives
4 hours ago | International
Shapla Chattar Massacre: ICT issues warrant against Hasina, 9 others.
Shapla Chattar Massacre: ICT issues warrant against Hasina, 9 others.
4 hours ago | National
DMP bans day-time road construction works
DMP bans day-time road construction works
5 hours ago | City
CA mourns death of Syed Manzur Elahi
CA mourns death of Syed Manzur Elahi
5 hours ago | National
'Shahbagh has legitimized Hasina’s misdeeds'
'Shahbagh has legitimized Hasina’s misdeeds'
5 hours ago | National
EU to impose retaliatory tariffs against Trump's steel and aluminum duties starting April 1
EU to impose retaliatory tariffs against Trump's steel and aluminum duties starting April 1
5 hours ago | International
Habib Wahid & Pritom Hasan drop Eid hit on Ityadi
Habib Wahid & Pritom Hasan drop Eid hit on Ityadi
5 hours ago | Entertainment
China holds talks with Walmart on impact of US tariffs: local reports
China holds talks with Walmart on impact of US tariffs: local reports
5 hours ago | Business
Most Read
Habib Wahid & Pritom Hasan drop Eid hit on Ityadi
Habib Wahid & Pritom Hasan drop Eid hit on Ityadi
5 hours ago | Entertainment
DU students demand Lucky Akter's arrest
DU students demand Lucky Akter's arrest
10 hours ago | National
Bashundhara Group Chairman mourns Apex Group Chairman's death
Bashundhara Group Chairman mourns Apex Group Chairman's death
8 hours ago | National
Renowned entrepreneur Manzur Elahi passes away
Renowned entrepreneur Manzur Elahi passes away
9 hours ago | Business
Army denounces false coup allegations by Indian media
Army denounces false coup allegations by Indian media
12 hours ago | National
Meta starts testing its first in-house AI Chip
Meta starts testing its first in-house AI Chip
9 hours ago | Tech
Met office forecasts rain likely over parts of country
Met office forecasts rain likely over parts of country
6 hours ago | National
From 7.24% to 11.89%: Businesses alarmed by sharp rise in loan rates
From 7.24% to 11.89%: Businesses alarmed by sharp rise in loan rates
11 hours ago | Business
Health professionals can't use "Dr" before names sans MBBS-BDS degree: HC
Health professionals can't use "Dr" before names sans MBBS-BDS degree: HC
6 hours ago | National
Court orders seizure of 54 kathas of Summit Group land
Court orders seizure of 54 kathas of Summit Group land
11 hours ago | National
Dhaka’s air quality 'unhealthy' on Wednesday
Dhaka’s air quality 'unhealthy' on Wednesday
9 hours ago | City
Australian man becomes first to walk out with total artificial heart implant
Australian man becomes first to walk out with total artificial heart implant
7 hours ago | International
Osmani’s Independence Award proposal dropped over precedence issue
Osmani’s Independence Award proposal dropped over precedence issue
11 hours ago | National
Maradona medical team on trial for 'horror theater' of his death
Maradona medical team on trial for 'horror theater' of his death
9 hours ago | Sports
NASA's latest space telescope launched to map the sky and study galaxies
NASA's latest space telescope launched to map the sky and study galaxies
7 hours ago | Tech
Armed Forces Must Not Be Dragged through the Dirt
Armed Forces Must Not Be Dragged through the Dirt
11 hours ago | Special
Rock legend James to ignite Dallas with ‘Chapter Two’ concert
Rock legend James to ignite Dallas with ‘Chapter Two’ concert
8 hours ago | Entertainment
NCC places 120 points before political parties
NCC places 120 points before political parties
6 hours ago | Special
DMP bans day-time road construction works
DMP bans day-time road construction works
5 hours ago | City
Govt mulls deferring LDC graduation
Govt mulls deferring LDC graduation
10 hours ago | Business
Study shows pistachios a tasty shield against vision loss
Study shows pistachios a tasty shield against vision loss
5 hours ago | Lifestyle
Won’t see AL in country’s politics: Hasnat
Won’t see AL in country’s politics: Hasnat
23 hours ago | National
Nearly 1,000 Civilian Deaths Over Three Years
Nearly 1,000 Civilian Deaths Over Three Years
22 hours ago | International
Govt agrees to provide monthly payments to non-MPO teachers
Govt agrees to provide monthly payments to non-MPO teachers
10 hours ago | National
Yemen resumes strikes against Israeli ships
Yemen resumes strikes against Israeli ships
9 hours ago | International
Trump reverses tariff hike on Canada, sparking market turmoil
Trump reverses tariff hike on Canada, sparking market turmoil
10 hours ago | International
Shahidul’s luxury houses in Canada and Germany
Shahidul’s luxury houses in Canada and Germany
8 hours ago | National
Palak, 2 others remanded in Riaj killing case
Palak, 2 others remanded in Riaj killing case
7 hours ago | National
British envoy meets Jamaat Ameer
British envoy meets Jamaat Ameer
23 hours ago | National
Greenland votes under shadow of Trump
Greenland votes under shadow of Trump
9 hours ago | International