By Teenager Lamine Yamal was once again the star of the show. Barcelona beat Benfica to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The 17-year-old provided a brilliant assist for Raphinha to open the scoring. He then topped that with a stunning strike. This put Barca 2-1 ahead on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Nicolas Otamendi’s excellent header had cancelled out Raphinha’s opener. Yamal’s brilliance ended Benfica’s hopes. Then, Raphinha struck again with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
There was confusion over whether Raphinha’s second initially stood. It appeared that play was pulled back for a foul by Otamendi on the edge of the box.
But after a check by the video assistant referee (VAR) the goal was confirmed, and Otamendi’s yellow card rescinded.
While Yamal caught the eye with his brilliant pieces of play, Raphinha also deserves plaudits. His double means he has contributed to 16 goals in the Champions League this season.
Lionel Messi scored 14 goals and provided five assists in the 2011-12 season. He is the only player to have had a hand in more goals in a single season for Barcelona. This is compared to Raphinha this season, who has 11 goals and five assists.
Barca could have won by an even bigger margin. Frenkie de Jong missed a golden chance to add a fourth on the night. He fired wide from close range after a lovely move.
Yamal continues to break records
It is hard to downplay just what a star Barcelona have in Yamal.
The youngster lit up the European Championship in Germany last summer. He helped Spain win the tournament. He has only got better since then.
His goal and assist on Tuesday night means he has contributed to 28 goals this season. It is not just about the raw numbers. It is the quality of his play as well.
The teenager’s assist for the opener was a wonderful flick through the defence. It landed at the far post, allowing Raphinha to volley in. His goal then displayed brilliant technique. He bent an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box beyond the reach of the keeper.
Yamal is now approaching 60 goals and assists for club and country – an incredible tally for someone his age.
His impact against Benfica also meant he made history. At 17 years and 241 days, he became the youngest player to score in a Champions League match. He also assisted a goal in the same match.
