The last time was in October 2012
FC Barcelona beat Benfica for the first time in 12 years
The team managed by Hansi Flick managed to turn around a 4-2 result at the last minute against an opponent who had not lost to the Blaugranas for more than a decade
The end of a streak has come. FC Barcelona had not beaten Benfica for more than 12 years and on Tuesday they did it. The Estádio da Luz saw how their team managed to beat the second-placed team in the Champions League, first 3-1 and then 4-2. However, what nobody expected was that the Catalan team would find a light to follow to turn the match around. Nine goals in ninety-four minutes, pure football.
That's how things turned out and Hansi Flick's men took the three points. They achieved an epic victory that covered several shortcomings of the team during the match. Nevertheless, the three points are in their pocket and the pressure remains on Liverpool, leaders of the competition, who also won their match against Lille (2-1). We will have to wait until the last matchday to find out if Barça will be leaders. However, what is confirmed is that FC Barcelona beat Benfica for the first time in 12 years, 3 months and 19 days. The last time was with Tito Vilanova in charge (2012-2013).
Three games without a win against 'As Águias'
The Blaugrana team beat the Portuguese team 0-2 on October 2, 2012. Vilanova opted for a practically star-studded eleven: Víctor Valdés; Dani Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fàbregas; Pedro, Messi and Alexis Sánchez. A goal from the Chilean opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the match and Cesc sealed the second day of the Champions League with a goal on the edge of the hour mark. 'Busi' ended the match early, as he was sent off in the 88th minute with a direct red card.
Since then, FC Barcelona faced Benfica three more times until they achieved victory. They did so in the sixth round of the group stage of that same edition, but the match ended in a goalless draw. The following occasions also occurred in the first leg of the competition, in the 2021/22 season. 'As Águias' won 3-0 at the Estádio da Luz and, in the return leg, the match ended again as it began.
Thus, with a frenetic match, the Blaugranas managed to break a long streak. The Catalan team remains undefeated in 2025, with the match against Getafe in LaLiga being the only setback so far. The next culé match will be this Sunday, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, when Valencia will visit the city of Barcelona to play matchday 21 of the domestic championship.
