The Portuguese team, Benfica, achieved a great victory over its Spanish guest, Barcelona, by three goals without return, in the match that brought the two teams together at Al-Nour Stadium in the second round of Group E for the group stage of the European Champions League for the current season.
Barcelona suffered the second consecutive loss in the Champions League this season, after losing to Bayern Munich in the first round at the Camp Nou.
Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez scored Benfica’s first goal in the third minute, after hitting a ground ball to the right of goalkeeper Ter Stegen.
Nunez’s goal is the second fastest goal conceded by Barcelona in the history of the Champions after 133 seconds, after Antonio da Silva’s goal with Stuttgart with 125 seconds in 2007.
Dutchman Luke de Jong missed two confirmed goals for Barcelona in the first half.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman made an early change in the 32nd minute by removing defender Gerard Pique, who received a yellow card, and replaced him with young midfielder Jaffe.
In the second half, Portuguese international Rafa Silva added Benfica’s second goal in the 69th minute, before Nunez returned and scored the third goal in the 79th minute from a penalty kick.
Barcelona defender Eric Garcia was sent off in the 87th minute after receiving two yellow cards.
Barcelona
Barcelona is at the bottom of the Champions League group E table, without any points, while Benfica is second with 4 points collected from a tie with Dynamo Kiev in the first round, and a victory over Barcelona.
He missed Barcelona in today’s match, Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele due to injury.
In the same group, the German Bayern Munich team achieved a great victory over its Ukrainian counterpart, Dynamo Kiev, with five goals without a return, to lead the group with 6 points from two wins..
Barcelona
Goalkeeper: Ter Stegen
Defense Line: Araujo – Pique – Eric Garcia – Dest
Midfield: Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Sergi Roberto
Forwards: Pedri – Memphis Depay – Luke de Jong