Barcelona's Raphinha Responds to Benfica 'Insults' After Dramatic Champions League Victory

By M Muzamil Shami - January 22, 2025

Match-winner Raphinha revealed that insults from Benfica players sparked a post-match tunnel scuffle after his stoppage-time goal sealed a remarkable 5-4 comeback victory for Barcelona at the Estádio da Luz in a thrilling Champions League encounter on Tuesday. This captivating Champions League clash saw Barcelona overcome a 3-1 and 4-2 deficit against Benfica.

Raphinha's decisive 96th-minute strike capped off a sensational finish amidst pouring rain in Lisbon. Adding to the drama, Benfica coach Bruno Lage delivered a stern address to his players on the pitch at full time following their collapse. The tension escalated as players entered the tunnel, with Raphinha at the center of a heated confrontation between the two teams. This Champions League match was filled with drama.

"I'm someone who respects everyone," stated Raphinha, a former Sporting CP player (Benfica's rivals), in a post-match interview. "As I was leaving the pitch, I was subjected to insults. I responded in kind. I acknowledge I shouldn't have. The situation became heated with the Benfica players... they chose to insult me. I’m not one to back down. I offer respect if I receive it, but I won’t remain silent when insulted. It’s understandable given the dramatic ending to such a Champions League game."

The preceding events of this Champions League night were nothing short of extraordinary. Raphinha declared himself to be in the best form of his career after scoring twice as Barcelona secured their sixth consecutive Champions League win, guaranteeing their direct passage to the round of 16. This Champions League win was crucial for Barcelona.

Raphinha's winning goal marked his eighth in European competitions this season—second only to teammate Robert Lewandowski's nine—and boosted his total for the campaign to a career-high 22 across all competitions. This Champions League performance showcased Raphinha's talent.

"I believe I'm experiencing the peak of my career, without a doubt," the Brazilian international affirmed. "We anticipated a challenging game here, acknowledging their strength, especially playing in front of their passionate fans, considering both their individual players and their collective strength as a team. However, our focus throughout the game was key. Our Champions League journey continues."

"We maintained the belief that we could turn the game around after the break, scoring a second goal to regain momentum, and we successfully achieved that in the end. We never surrendered and ultimately secured the victory." This Champions League comeback was a testament to Barcelona's resilience.

Earlier in the match, Benfica capitalized on several Barcelona errors to establish a 3-1 lead at halftime, fueled by a Vangelis Pavlidis hat trick. This Champions League match had many twists and turns.

The Greece international opened the scoring in the second minute and completed his treble within half an hour after Lewandowski had briefly equalized from the penalty spot. This Champions League match was a goal fest.

Pavlidis's second goal came after he rolled the ball into an empty net following a collision between goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and his own defender, Alejandro Balde. This Champions League match was full of individual errors.

He then completed his hat trick with a penalty after Szczęsny fouled Kerem Aktürkoğlu. This Champions League match was a penalty galore.

"It was a crazy game," Barcelona coach Hansi Flick commented in the post-match press conference. "Benfica performed exceptionally well, particularly in the first half, but we committed numerous mistakes. Our defensive performance was subpar. This Champions League match showed areas for improvement.

"It’s crucial that we address these issues. Our future opponents will analyze this match, and we must improve. We will work on that. This Champions League match was a learning experience.

"At halftime, we discussed our need for adjustments, specifically better positioning. We expressed our determination to mount a comeback." This Champions League match was a tactical battle.

Another goalkeeping error offered Barcelona a lifeline, with Anatoliy Trubin's attempted pass ricocheting off Raphinha's head from 20 yards out and finding its way into the net. This Champions League match had its share of goalkeeping errors.

A Ronald Araújo own goal appeared to have sealed the victory for Benfica, but a second Lewandowski penalty and an Eric García header within the final 12 minutes set the stage for a dramatic finish as both teams pushed for the win. This Champions League match was a rollercoaster.

Szczęsny made a crucial save from Ángel Di María, and moments later, as Benfica appealed for a penalty, Raphinha broke through at the other end to clinch the win. This Champions League match was a nail-biter.

"The most impressive aspect is the team's mentality in the second half; they never lost belief," Flick added. "It’s incredible. I would have been satisfied with a point, but three points are significantly better. It was a fantastic finish. We invested heavily in the second half, created more opportunities, and deserved the victory." This Champions League match showcased Barcelona's fighting spirit.

The victory secures Barcelona's place in the round of 16 with a game to spare, at home to Italian side Atalanta next week. This Champions League win was crucial for Barcelona's progression.

Consequently, they avoid two additional fixtures in February, when teams finishing between 9th and 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout tie for a spot in the round of 16. This Champions League result has implications for the rest of the season.

"Direct qualification for the final 16 will significantly benefit us for the remainder of the season, I’m absolutely certain," Flick concluded. "The most vital factor is the availability of training time. This is paramount. As evident in the match, we are making mistakes, but there’s no opportunity to address them in the one or two days we have between matches. This Champions League schedule is demanding.

"It’s all about recovery, regaining energy, and ensuring fitness for match day. It’s extremely demanding for the players." This Champions League season is a test of endurance.