Szczesny came back to redeem himself. In Lisbon in January, he had played his worst game for Barca, but in March he had his best game.

FC Barcelona returns to action in the Champions League this Wednesday, visiting Benfica at the Estadio da Luz for the first leg of the round of 16. The Catalans arrive in great form after reclaiming the top spot in LaLiga EA Sports,

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Barcelona was reduced to 10 men after an early red card but goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny came through when his team needed him in a hard-fought win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. Szczesny made some big saves at Benfica’s Stadium of Light in Barcelona's 1-0 away victory in the first leg of the round of 16.

Barcelona’s hopes of a strong first-leg showing in Lisbon have been handed a hefty blow after Pau Cubarsi was given a straight red card in their first-leg tie with Benfica. Cubarsi was dismissed with just twenty minutes gone after being adjudged to have denied a goalscoring chance as Benfica’s danger man, Vangelis Pavlidis, burst through.

The match began with an early chance for Kerem Akturkoglu, whose first-minute shot was denied by Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. Benfica also started strongly, with Nicolas Otamendi having a shot blocked.

Champions League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction - Hansi Flick’s side have eyes on the quarter-finals

Benfica will take on Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Barcelona defeated Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon on Wednesday to put themselves in pole position to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Raphinha’s second half strike proved to the difference between

Barcelona are in pole position to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League after securing a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at the Estadio da Luz in