FC Barcelona qualifies for the Champions quarter-finals for the 24th time

FC Barcelona's qualification against Benfica for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League was the 18th so far in the 21st century and the twenty-fourth in the tournament's history for the blue and claret team. For the second consecutive year, the club inscribes its name among the top 8 in the continent, with the 2024/25 season being special due to the decisiveness with which they reached this stage.

Indeed, with Liverpool's elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Barça confirmed their status as the top favorite for the title. Hansi Flick's team has an unbeaten streak of 9 matches in the tournament (8 wins, 1 draw) and only lost in the first match of the league phase against Monaco (2-1). Barça is the highest-scoring team in the tournament (32) and has the most victories (8). Additionally, they remain unbeaten at home, with 4 wins and 1 draw.

2008-2020: Barça's best streak in Champions quarter-finals

Between 2008 and 2020, Barça always reached at least the quarter-finals, lifting the 'big ears' in 2009, 2011, and 2015. In total, there were 13 consecutive seasons reaching the penultimate qualifying phase before the decisive stage, with a record of 8 eliminations won and 6 lost. The culés fell in 2014 and 2016 against Atlético de Madrid, while in 2017 their executioner was Juventus.

Then, in 2018 and 2020, Roma and Bayern Munich eliminated the Catalans, although the match against the Bavarians was a single match due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last season, after four years, the team led by Xavi Hernández advanced to the quarter-finals after overcoming Napoli in the round of 16. However, the culés could not get past the elimination, falling to Paris Saint-Germain.

Other Champions quarter-finals for Barça

At the beginning of the 21st century, Barça reached the semi-finals in 2000 (Valencia) and 2002 (Real Madrid), overcoming Panathinaikos and Chelsea in the previous phase, respectively, while in 2003 they fell in the quarter-finals against Juventus. In 2006, the blue and claret team overcame Benfica in the quarter-finals and Milan in the 'semis' to reach the final in Paris, where Frank Rijkaard's team defeated Arsenal (2-1). In the 90s, the team only reached the quarter-finals on three occasions.

In 1992, on the way to the title against Sampdoria at Wembley (0-1), Barça overcame the quarter-final group against Sparta Prague, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv. In 1994, the team also reached the final against Milan but was heavily defeated in Athens (0-4). And, in 1995, with two-legged eliminations starting from the quarter-finals, the Catalans fell to PSG by an aggregate score of 3-2.  Previously, Barcelona overcame the quarter-finals in 1960, 1961, 1975, and 1985, falling twice in the 'semis' and another two times in the final of the old European Cup.

⚽The last five quarter-final eliminations of Barça in the Champions

• * Elimination decided by the away goals rule in favor of the Italians.
• ** Elimination played as a single match, as part of a final four.