### Barcelona's Young Star Shines as They Advance to Champions League Quarter-Finals Barcelona's recent performance in the UEFA Champions League has been nothing short of spectacular, as they secured their place in the quarter-finals by defeating Benfica 3-1 in the second leg of the Round of 16, resulting in a 4-1 aggregate victory. The match showcased the talents of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who not only scored a stunning goal but also provided an assist, making history as the youngest player to achieve both in a Champions League match at 17 years and 241 days old. Alongside him, Raphinha's two goals further solidified Barcelona's dominance in the match, highlighting the team's attacking prowess and depth [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/champions-league-lamine-yamal-goal-barcelona-b2713374.html][https://www.business-standard.com/sports/football-news/champions-league-raphinha-yamal-shine-as-barcelona-cruise-into-quarters-125031200032_1.html]. ### Breakdown of Barcelona's Victory 1. **Match Overview**: - Barcelona faced Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. - The match ended with a score of 3-1, allowing Barcelona to progress with a 4-1 aggregate score. 2. **Key Players**: - **Lamine Yamal**: Scored a remarkable goal and assisted Raphinha's second goal, marking a historic achievement in the Champions League. - **Raphinha**: Scored twice, becoming the leading scorer in the Champions League this season with 11 goals. 3. **Match Highlights**: - Raphinha opened the scoring in the 11th minute. - Yamal doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a spectacular strike. - Raphinha scored again in the 42nd minute, assisted by Yamal. 4. **Next Steps**: - Barcelona will face the winner of the match between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/supreme-barcelona-dispatch-benfica-3-1-to-reach-champions-league-quarters][https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/football/fc-barcelona-vs-benfica-uefa-champions-league-2024-25-round-of-16-lamine-yamal-raphinha-star-as-catalans-win-on-emotional-night-in-pics]. ### Supporting Evidence of Barcelona's Dominance - **Match Statistics**: - **Goals**: Raphinha (2), Yamal (1) - **Aggregate Score**: Barcelona 4 - 1 Benfica - **Yamal's Record**: Youngest player to score and assist in a Champions League match at 17 years, 241 days [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/football/ucl-raphinhas-brace-yamals-stunner-guide-fc-barcelona-to-uefa-champions-league-quarter-finals-after-beating-benfica-3-1][https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14487605/Lamine-Yamal-creates-Champions-League-history-stunning-goal-assist-against-Benfica-Barcelona-book-place-quarter-finals.html]. ### Conclusion: Barcelona's Path Forward In summary, **Barcelona's impressive 3-1 victory over Benfica not only secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals but also highlighted the emergence of young talent Lamine Yamal alongside the established prowess of Raphinha**. The team's performance reflects their strong attacking capabilities and sets a promising tone for their upcoming matches. 1. **Historic Performance**: Yamal's record-breaking achievement adds to the excitement surrounding Barcelona's future. 2. **Team Cohesion**: The synergy between Yamal and Raphinha demonstrates the depth of talent within the squad. 3. **Next Challenge**: Barcelona awaits the outcome of the Lille vs. Borussia Dortmund match to determine their next opponent in the quarter-finals [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6194332/2025/03/11/barcelona-3-benfica-1-yamal-raphinha-the-briefing][https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/11/barcelona-benfica-champions-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report].