Barça 5-5 Benfica: Dismay in the final seconds

Today’s European League fixture at the Palau Blaugrana was an absolute humdinger, with intensity, tension and goals, with Benfica coming back from three down to snatch a draw when it had looked at one moment like Barça would be celebrating a handsome victory.

The Portuguese side were two goals down with three minutes to go and it wasn’t until the dying seconds that Nicolia pulled level at 5 each.

It means Barça were unable to certify qualification for the next round, although with a three-point lead at the top of the table, the Catalans are still very much in pole position to do so.

Barça’s now switch their attention back to the league and a game on Wednesday (9.15pm CET) away to Caldes Recam Làser.

MATCH STATS

Barça: Sergi Fernández, Pablo Álvarez, Pau Bargalló, Sergi Panadero, Helder Nunes, Matias Pascual, Nil Roca, Ignacio Alabart, Joao Rodrigues.
Benfica: Pedro Henriques, Valter Neves, Diogo Rafael, Carlos Nicolia, Lucas Ordoñez, Albert Casanovas, Edu Lamas, Jordi Adroher, Vierinha.
Goals: Helder Nunes (1-0, min 3); Helder Nunes (2-0, min 18); Jordi Adroher (2-1, min 18); Pablo Álvarez (3-1, min 24); Lucas Ordoñez (3-2, min 26); Nil Roca (4-2, min 27); Pau Bargalló (5-2, min 35); Jordi Adroher (5-3, min 36); Jordi Adroher (5-4, min 47); Carlos Nicolia (5-5, min 49).