UEFA Champions League match day 7: Barça stages thrilling comeback, Atlético seals victory with Álvarez brace
The Champions League delivered another night of high drama as FC Barcelona secured an astonishing 5-4 comeback victory over Benfica, while Atlético Madrid edged past Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 with Julian Álvarez starring.
Barcelona’s trip to Lisbon began disastrously, with Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis scoring within two minutes. Though Robert Lewandowski equalized from the penalty spot in the 14th minute, Pavlidis struck twice more—first capitalizing on a defensive mishap and later converting a penalty after a foul by Barça goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny—earning himself a first-half hat trick. By the 30th minute, the Catalans were staring at a 3-1 deficit.
However, Barcelona clawed their way back into contention. Goals from Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong leveled the score at 3-3, before Benfica regained the lead.
Undeterred, Barça equalized again through a well-placed shot by Ferran Torres. In a dramatic climax, Raphinha netted the winning goal in the 96th minute, securing Barcelona’s spot in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid also advanced with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Julian Álvarez scored both goals, showcasing his clinical finishing and composure under pressure.
As the group stage nears its end, both Spanish clubs have solidified their positions in the competition, setting the stage for even more excitement in the knockout rounds.
