Champions League - Pau Kuwarsi sent off as Barcelona beat Benfica 1-0

The first round of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League round of 16 staged another focus match. Barcelona, who played away, defeated Benfica 1-0 after Pau Kuvarsi was shown a red card and Rafinha scored.

At the beginning of the game, Benfica took the initiative to organize an attack. Pavlidis received a cross pass from his teammate and shot from the penalty area, but the ball was blocked by Barcelona goalkeeper Szczesny and went wide. In the 2nd minute, Barcelona midfielder Olmo received the ball at the top of the penalty area and shot from a distance, but the ball went wide of the post.

In the 13th minute, Barcelona continued to attack. Rafinha made a cross, Lewandowski pushed forward but was blocked by Benfica goalkeeper Trubin. Then Lewandowski and Yamal's follow-up shots were also blocked.

In the 22nd minute, Pavlidis was tackled by Barcelona defender Pau Kuvalsi while dribbling the ball. The referee showed him a red card and Barcelona had to hold on with 10 players. In the 25th minute, Benfica midfielder Coquelin chose to shoot directly at the goal when taking a free kick, but was saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Szczesny. Then Pavlidis headed the ball but it went wide.

In the 28th minute, Barcelona, which was left with 10 players, replaced Olmo with defender Araujo. In the 34th minute, Benfica continued to attack, and Aktukoglu headed the ball but was saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Szczesny. In the 43rd minute, Aktukoglu headed the ball in the penalty area, but the ball was blocked by Szczesny again.

In the 50th minute of the second half, Benfica defender Carreras dribbled the ball into the penalty area and passed it back. Pavlidis received the ball and shot it, but the ball went directly over the goal. In the 56th minute, Barcelona replaced Yamal with Ferran Torres.

In the 61st minute, Benfica made a mistake in passing the ball. Rafinha took the ball and shot from the top of the penalty area to help Barcelona take the lead 1-0. In the 71st minute, Benfica tried to counterattack. Pavlidis received a pass from his teammate in the penalty area and shot at the goal, but the ball hit Kounde.

In the 82nd minute, Benfica striker Belotti was brought down by Barcelona goalkeeper Szczesny when he got the ball from the penalty area and crossed the defense. The referee on duty awarded a penalty kick, but after the intervention of VAR, it indicated that Belotti was offside, so the penalty kick was cancelled.

In the 88th minute, Benfica continued to counterattack. Joao Rego in the penalty area received a cross pass from his teammate and dealt with a defensive shot, but the ball went wide of the goal.

In the end, Barcelona defeated Benfica 1-0 away.