Raphinha’s goal secured a 1-0 win for Barcelona over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Barcelona claimed a Tough fight in 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica as Raphinha’s second half strike give them the wining.
The game had been tightly balanced, with Barça coming closest when home stopper Anatolli Trubin produced a miracle save to block Robert Lewandowski from close range.
The Portuguese surge of the last 30 minutes came to nothing, and even when they were awarded a penalty it was cancelled out for an offside just before.
Bqarca far from had it all their own way, with Hansi Flick’s team having been reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute, when Pau Cubarsi saw red for a last-man foul on Vangelis Pavlidis.
Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was active in the game he turned in a brilliant display, making a string of saves.