Controversial winner Rafinha caps off nine-goal thriller for Barcelona at Benfica | Football news

Benfica were denied a stoppage-time penalty for Barcelona in the Champions League.

Rafinha scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Barcelona came from behind to finish Beat Benfica 5-4 in a wild match It virtually guarantees direct qualification to the round of 16 of the Champions League.

The home side thought they should have been awarded a penalty before Barcelona’s late strike after Leandro Barreiro appeared to be hit in the back by Ferran Torres inside the penalty area. VAR considered the appeal, delaying celebrations of the winning goal, but chose not to ask the referee to take a second look at his decision.

Benfica was leading 4-2 with less than 15 minutes left in the match on Tuesday, but Barcelona staged a stunning late comeback to remain three points behind leaders Liverpool.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored a hat-trick for the hosts in the first half, thanks in part to two blunders by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

However, Robert Lewandowski’s brace from the penalty spot, Eric Garcia’s header and Rafinha’s brace helped Barcelona secure a stunning late victory in Lisbon.

Benfica opened the scoring in the second minute when Pavlidis evaded Pau Koparsi and slotted home from Alvaro Carreras’ low cross.

Barcelona responded quickly and Lewandowski scored from a penalty kick after Alejandro Balde blocked Benfica defender Thomas Araujo.

The hosts took the lead with a stroke of luck, when Szczesny came out of his goal to try to cut in a through ball, but collided with Baldi.

Greek international Pavlidis happily collected the loose ball and slotted his second into an empty net.

Barcelona, ​​who lured Szczesny out of retirement to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen in October, quickly fell further behind.

Pavlidis completed his hat-trick on the half-hour mark from the penalty spot after another foul from Szczesny, the goalkeeper flying to try to clear Kerim Akturkoglu, but bringing him down.

Lamine Yamal and Rafinha wasted two good chances before the end of the first half as Barcelona moved forward.

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin saved an attempt from Jules Kounde, who should have scored, and Lewandowski was unable to convert the dangerous ball sent by Pedri into the net.

Rafinha pulled one back for Barcelona in bizarre fashion when Tropin’s clearance hit his header on the edge of the penalty area and headed back into the net.

However, Benfica soon scored again, as Ronald Araujo passed Szczesny into his own net as he attempted to cut in a cross.

Barcelona continued to press and Lewandowski scored another penalty after Nicolas Otamendi brought down Yamal.

The Catalan giants, who last won the Champions League in 2015, equalized when substitute Garcia headed home a cross from Pedri.

Szczesny saved former Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria’s shot before Rafinha scored a dramatic winner.

With Benfica demanding a penalty, Barcelona launched a quick breakaway and the Brazilian winger slotted home a goal to end a tense encounter.