A great start to the match, with two goals in the same minute (4’) for both sides. Barcelona took the lead through Ignacio Alabart with a shot at the near post that Conti Acevedo didn’t expect. SL Benfica responded with a well-worked attacking move, equalising through João Rodrigues, who turned in a well-placed pass from Nil Roca.
The game became more tight-knit from then on, with Benfica having more possession and dominating play, but unable to break down Barcelona’s well-organised defence, which was very compact and did not allow any truly dangerous shots. That was how it remained at half-time, with the draw proving costly for the Eagles, but rewarding the Spaniards for their defensive discipline.
The second half kicked off with two great shots and two superb saves at each end, with the goalkeepers keeping the score level.
The match picked up pace, reaching frenetic moments, a sign that the urgency for a goal was palpable. That goal came for Barcelona courtesy of Ferrant Font: first assisting Marc Grau, who, isolated in front of Conti Acevedo, celebrated the 1-2; then with a powerful cross-shot from Ferrant Font himself, leaving Acevedo with no chance and putting the Catalan side in a comfortable position.
But the crowd were behind the Eagles and the Portuguese side won a penalty for a foul on Viti. Stepping up to take it, João Rodrigues didn’t miss and pulled one back, bringing a chill and a surge of emotion to the match. Benfica felt they had to push forward in search of another goal, but fell victim to a series of fouls, and from the free-kick awarded for the Eagles’ 10th foul, Barcelona, through Ignacio Alabart, extended their lead to two goals once again. With seven minutes remaining, Barcelona felt comfortable managing the result, defending as a unit, avoiding mistakes, and leaving the attacking burden to the Eagles.
The attacking pressure resulted in a blue card for Ferran Font, and playing with the advantage of a power play, with two minutes to go, Pau Bargallò made it 3-4. With a minute and a half remaining, the Eagles were giving it their all for extra time, but defensive discipline prevailed and Barcelona celebrated, eight years on, their passage to the WSE Champions League by Azemad final, which takes place this Sunday in Coimbra at 6 pm local time.
What they said:
Edu Castro, SL Benfica coach
“We had a very good first half, but we were level at half-time. In the opening minutes of the second half, they were the better side, scored two goals and we lost our concentration. We went in search of a goal, reacted and fought until the end, but we couldn’t get the result we wanted. I ask that you don’t question the players; we’ve had a fantastic season, but we’ve already missed out on two major opportunities – all that remains is the league… if you must question anyone, let it be the coach. We have a fantastic squad, very cheerful, always ready to work. But the truth is that we haven’t managed to get through the most important matches, just as happened last season, and that is my responsibility, not the players’. I’m sure they’ll bring Benfica a lot of joy. The most important title has slipped away; the team is downhearted now; we don’t have time to heal our wounds and go into the play-offs to fight for the title.”
Ricardo Ares, Barcelona coach
“We played against a team that was built to win every competition, including the Champions League. I think we played very well, especially defensively, controlling the opposition – that was the only way we could get past them – and we also had a great performance from our goalkeeper. We managed to score at the right moments and that made all the difference. We hope this Sunday will be a happy day for us, in a team I’ve only been with for a few months… and of course it will be a special match, as I spent many years at FC Porto; I know them well, but they know me well too. We’re very keen to win this Champions League; we’re the club with the most trophies in this competition, but we haven’t won it for some time, so we hope to achieve that.”
”
SL Benfica 3 – Barcelona 4
WSE Champions League by Azemad 2025/2026 semi-final, second leg
Saturday, 9 May 2026, 4.00 pm, Dr. Mário Mexia Multisport Arena
Referees: Francesco Stallone (ITA), Joseph Silecchia (ITA) and Filippo Fronte (ITA)
SL Benfica – Conti Acevedo; Zé Miranda, João Rodrigues, Roberto di Benedetto and Zé Miranda
Substitutes – Pedro Henriques (c), Lucas Ordóñez, Pau Bargalló, Gonçalo Pinto, Viti
Manager: Edu Castro
Barcelona – Sergi Fernández (c); Ignacio Alabart, Ferran Font, Sergi Aragonès and Marc Grau
Substitutes – Carles Grau, Xavi Barroso, Eloi Cervera, Pablo Álvarez, Sergi Llorca
Manager: Ricardo Ares
Goals: 0-1 by Ignacio Alabart (4’); 1-1 by João Rodrigues (4’); 1-2 by Marc Grau (33’); 1-3 by Ferran Font; 2-3 by João Rodrigues (36’); 2-4 by Ignacio Alabart (43’)
At half-time: 1-1
Cards:
Blue: Sergi Aragonès (9’), Xavi Barroso (28’), João Rodrigues (29’), Ferran Font (47)
WSE Champions League Men– Final Eight
Semi-finals
Saturday, 8 May
12:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs OC Barcelos (POR) = 6-4 after penalty shots
16:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs Barça (ESP) = 3-4
Final
Sunday, 10 May
18:00 – FC Porto (POR) vs Barça (ESP) – RTP 2 + RTP Play + DAZN 4 + Tv3 Catalunya | Press kit
WSE Champions League Women – Final Four
Final
Sunday, 10 May
12:00 – SL Benfica (POR) vs CP Esneca Fraga (ESP) – RTP 2 + RTP Play + DAZN 4 | Press kit