Xtra Time Web Desk: Spanish giants Barcelona made the worst possible start to their Champions League campaign as they lost 0-3 to Benfica at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Wednesday night. It was the same venue where the Catalans suffered their worst ever defeat when they were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in 2019/20 Champions League quarter finals. For Benfica, it was their first win over Barcelona since 1961.
The result mean Ronald Koeman’s side are now not only winless after their first two matches in Group E but are also goalless and facing the very real possibility of failing to reach the knockout round.
It was a nightmare start for the visitors, with Darwin Nunez handing Benfica an early 1-0 lead by moving past the slow-footed Eric Garcia and firing in past goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the goal.
Darwin Nunez nearly had another goal at the start of the second half, this time when Ter Stegen came way off his line, allowing Nunez to round the German shot-stopper and fire a long-range shot with the goal-mouth completely open, only for the ball to hit the post.
Benfica made it 2-0 when Rafa Silva followed up Joao Mario’s blocked shot with a finish into net. There was more miseries for the Catalan side, with VAR ruling for a penalty in favor of Benfica for a Sergino Dest handball off a Gilberto header. Nunez stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick, stretching the advantage to 3-0.
With the loss Barcelona are staring at making an exit from knockout stages of the Champions League, first time since 2003/04.