Teen prodigy Lamine Yamal put on another stellar display as Barcelona cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals with a dominant 4-1 aggregate victory over Benfica.
The 17-year-old played a crucial role in the match, first setting up Raphinha’s opener with a sublime assist before producing a breathtaking goal to restore Barca’s lead.
His strike made it 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, extinguishing any hopes of a Benfica comeback.
Earlier in the game, Nicolas Otamendi had temporarily revived Benfica’s chances with a well-taken header to level the score after Raphinha’s first goal.
However, Yamal’s brilliance turned the tide firmly in Barca’s favor. Raphinha then sealed the win with a composed finish into the bottom corner, though initial confusion surrounded the goal as the referee seemed to pull play back for a foul by Otamendi.
After a VAR review, the goal stood, and Otamendi’s yellow card was overturned.
While Yamal stole the spotlight with his creativity and technical prowess, Raphinha’s contribution was equally vital. His brace took his Champions League tally this season to 11 goals and five assists, making him one of Barcelona’s most decisive players in Europe.
Only Lionel Messi (14 goals, five assists in 2011-12) has bettered this tally in a single campaign for the club.
Barcelona could have extended their margin further, but Frenkie de Jong squandered a golden opportunity, firing wide from close range after a slick team move.
With the win, Hansi Flick’s side now awaits a quarter-final clash against either Borussia Dortmund or Lille.
Yamal’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of remarkable. After lighting up the European Championship in Germany last summer and helping Spain to glory, he has continued to impress at club level. His goal and assist against
Benfica took his season tally to 28 goal contributions, but it’s not just about the numbers—his sheer quality on the ball sets him apart.
His assist for Raphinha’s opener was a moment of magic, a delicate flick that split the defense and allowed his teammate to volley home. His goal, a stunning curler from the edge of the box, left the goalkeeper with no chance.
With nearly 60 goal involvements for club and country at just 17, Yamal continues to break records.
His latest feat saw him become the youngest player in Champions League history to both score and assist in a single match at 17 years and 241 days—a testament to his extraordinary talent.
