Raphinha turns up as he saves Barcelona’s blushes
Barcelona hero Raphinha declared he is in the best form of his career after his 96th-minute strike handed the Blaugrana a stunning 5-4 Champions League win over Benfica.
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona booked their place in the competition’s last 16 by fighting back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to win an incredible game in Lisbon.
Raphinha’s winning goal – a low strike on the counter attack moments after Benfica had a penalty appeal knocked back – was timed at 95 minutes and eight seconds.
That is Barcelona’s latest winning goal on record in the competition (since 2003-04), while his 10 goal involvements (eight goals, two assists) are the most of any player in the Champions League this season.
Speaking to Movistar after his dramatic intervention, the Brazilian said: “I think I’m in the best moment of my career.
“We knew it would be a pretty tough game. I know the difficulty of playing here, in front of their fans. They know how to play very well and have players of the highest level.
“We didn’t fall apart at 3-1 in the first half. We came back focused to change the game. It was a spectacular match for everyone. Benfica could very well have won, but we took it.”
Tuesday’s game was the first in Champions League history to finish 5-4, with Barca becoming just the second team to win a match in the competition despite conceding four goals (after Borussia Dortmund 8-4 Legia Warsaw in November 2016).
It was also the first time Barca had come from two goals down to win a European Cup or Champions League game, and just the second match in the competition to see Benfica lose after going two goals up (after a 3-2 loss to Red Star Belgrade in September 1984).
Head coach Hansi Flick said of their fightback: “The most positive thing was the mentality we had, we came back and it’s wonderful, this is football.
“I have never experienced a comeback like this. Benfica are very good, they made us defend deep.”
Both sets of players became involved in a fracas at full-time, and Raphinha claims a number of Benfica players – infuriated by the failure to penalise Fermin Lopez in the build-up to the winner – hurled insults at him.
“I am a person who respects everyone. When I left the field there were people who insulted me. I returned the insults, I know I shouldn’t,” the winger said.
“We all got heated, but the Benfica players preferred to insult me. I’m a person who doesn’t take anything home.
“I respect if they respect me, but I don’t shut up if they insult me. It’s normal after a game that ends like this.”
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