Barça's win against Benfica on Wednesday was an important one as it gives them one foot in the quarter-finals with the last 16 second leg to come on Tuesday in the Estadi Olímpic. Hansi Flick's side played most of the game with 10 men, earning them even more credit for their 1-0 win.
History
The game's direction took an important turn in the 22nd minute when Pau Cubarsí was sent off for bringing down Benfica striker Pavlidis on the edge of the box when he was the last defender. Barça, however, remained calm and Raphinha's minute strike gave them a vital victory in the first leg.
With the win in the Estádio da Luz, Barça set a new Champions League record. No other team has played so long with 10 men and come out victorious. The win playing with a man less for 68 minutes surpassed the previous record held by Juventus who in 2018 played 62 minutes with 10 men in their 2-0 win over Valencia in Mestalla.
Szczesny keeps his record
Curiously enough, in goal that day for the Serie A side was none other than Wojciech Szczęsny, obviously the right man to have in between the posts when your team is down to 10 men.