History of Barcelona vs. Benfica in the Champions League
After placing second in the group league phase of this year's edition of the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona would be set to face off against Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The two have already played once before this year in the Champions League, a 5-4 shootout where Barcelona would narrowly escape thanks to a Raphinha counterattack goal in the game's final seconds. What looks to be an interesting tie due to the recent game, these two European giants have only played each other in six different seasons in the Champions League. How have these outcomes shaped out for Barcelona?
Pre-2000
Before the year 2000, these two sides had only played each other in three games. The first was the 1960/61 version of the Champions League Final, where Barcelona would lose 3-2 in Bern, Switzerland. A late goal to try and turn the game around in the 75th minute would be too late for the Blaugrana. Their second tie against Benfica would be in the 1991/92 season. This season both teams would qualify for the last eight and fight for their place in the final with a group including two other teams. Their first game in Lisbon would have both teams gain a point in a 0-0 draw. The second game would have Barcelona take all three points as they would win 2-1 in the Camp Nou. Barcelona would go on to top their group and earn a place in the final against Italian side Sampdoria, where they would win 1-0 and win their first Champions League.
Post-2000
Post-2000, Barcelona has met Benfica three times, excluding the most recent matchup. The first was during Barcelona’s Champions League final run in the 2005/2006 season. It would be a quarterfinal matchup with the first leg leaving both teams scoreless in Lisbon. However, Barcelona would get the better of Benfica at home in the second leg, with stars Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o each scoring to put Barcelona in the semi-final against AC Milan. The 2012/2013 season would have the next battle between these two, as they would be placed in Group G of that year's Champions League. Matchday two in Lisbon, Barcelona would walk away victorious with a 2-0 win with the help of Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fábregas. The return match in Barcelona would be a scoreless contest as Barcelona would advance in first with Benfica fighting for the knockouts in third place. The final meeting between the two sides would be in the 2021/2022 season, where they would both be in Group E. The first game in Lisbon, Benfica, would have a shocking 3-0 win, with Darwin Núñez scoring a brace. The return match in Camp Nou would be one where Barcelona needed to win to gain that second-place spot in the group. However, a disallowed goal by Ronald Araújo would be Barcelona's only chance to advance, as they would soon be knocked out of the Champions League, placing third in the group.