It’s customary for the Champions League to overdeliver on drama but rarely quite like Tuesday night’s game between Barcelona and Benfica.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Benfica forward Vangelis Pavlidis has scored the third-fastest hat trick at the start of a Champions League game on Tuesday, against Barcelona. The Greece international scored two minutes into the match and then in the 22nd and 30th minutes as Benfica led Barcelona 3-1 at halftime.

Barcelona have secured their passage into the last 16 of the Champions League with six wins and one defeat to date. Liverpool, who beat Lille 2-1, top the league stage from Barca in second, and are the only other side to be assured to skip the playoff round at this stage.

Benfica will square off against FC Barcelona on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Barcelona pulled off a spectacular comeback as they defeated SL Benfica 4-5 at Estadio Da Luz, after having been down 3-1 at half-time. A brace from Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot, coupled

Barcelona fight back from being two goals down twice to snatch a dramatic late victory away at Benfica to clinch their place in the Champions League last 16.