Benfica vs FC Barcelona Stats: Head-to-Head & Key Numbers

If you’ve been following the 2024/25 Champions League, you already know that Barcelona and Benfica have delivered two of the season’s most unforgettable nights. From a frantic 5-4 comeback in Lisbon to a gritty 1-0 win played with ten men, their meetings have been anything but routine.

Most recent result: Barcelona 1-0 Benfica (March 5, 2025) ·
Highest-scoring match: Benfica 4-5 Barcelona (January 21, 2025) ·
Biggest win in history: Benfica 11-1 Barcelona (1940) ·
Current head-to-head wins (since 2025): Barcelona: 2 wins, Benfica: 0 wins

The following table highlights the most recent and historical facts of the rivalry.

Has Barcelona ever won against Benfica?

What is the overall head‑to‑head record?

According to UEFA (the official governing body of European football), Barcelona and Benfica have met at least 12 times in European competition. The record stands at 6 Barcelona wins, 4 draws, and 2 Benfica wins, with an aggregate score of 17–12 in Barcelona’s favor. WorldFootball.net (comprehensive football database) confirms that same 12‑match count and goal tally.

Sports Mole, however, counts only 11 meetings—5 Barcelona wins, 2 Benfica wins, and 4 draws (Sports Mole). The discrepancy likely stems from whether a 1960s friendly or an early‑round qualifier is included.

What this means: Regardless of the exact match count, Barcelona holds a clear historical edge, and the recent results (two wins in 2025) only cement that dominance.

Which team has the edge in recent matches?

In the 2024/25 season alone, Barcelona defeated Benfica three times: a 5‑4 league‑phase thriller on January 21, a 1‑0 first‑leg win on March 5, and a 3‑1 second‑leg victory on March 11 (Sports Mole). The first two matches were part of the round‑of‑16 tie, which Barcelona won 4‑1 on aggregate (FotMob).

• Raphinha scored the stoppage‑time winner on January 21 (ESPN).
• The March 5 result was achieved despite Pau Cubarsí’s early red card (Sports Mole).

The pattern: Barcelona have not only beaten Benfica consistently but have done so in dramatic, high‑pressure situations—a strong psychological advantage heading into future meetings.

Who scored Barcelona goals vs Benfica?

Which players scored in the 5‑4 win?

ESPN reported that the comeback was capped by Raphinha’s stoppage‑time goal. The exact goal‑scorer list for all five goals is not fully detailed in the available match reports, but Raphinha’s contribution is confirmed as the decisive strike.

• Raphinha scored the winner in the 90+ minute on January 21.
• Other Barcelona goals came earlier in the match, though the full lineup of scorers is not provided by the sources.

Who scored the winner in the 1‑0 victory?

On March 5, 2025, Raphinha again proved decisive, netting the only goal of the match (Sports Mole). The goal came despite Barcelona playing with ten men for most of the game after Pau Cubarsí was sent off early.

Why this matters: Raphinha has emerged as the key difference‑maker in this rivalry, with two match‑winning performances in the same season.

What happens if Barcelona loses against Benfica?

How does a loss affect Champions League qualification?

In the league phase of the 2024/25 Champions League, a loss for Barcelona would reduce their points total and potentially drop them in the standings. However, because the round‑of‑16 tie was already decided by a 4‑1 aggregate win, the immediate qualification question is about group‑stage or knockout‑phase seeding rather than elimination (FotMob).

What are the implications for group standings?

If Barcelona had lost the league‑phase match in January, their position would have become more precarious—but they won. The real danger lies in future matches: a slip‑up against a direct rival could force them into a tougher knockout draw. As it stands, Barcelona’s three wins over Benfica have already secured their passage to the quarter‑finals.

The catch: The qualification scenarios are heavily dependent on other group results; Barcelona cannot afford to drop points in their remaining fixtures if they want a top‑seed spot.

Which club beat Barcelona 11‑1?

When did this match take place?

Benfica inflicted Barcelona’s heaviest ever defeat—an 11‑1 thrashing—in 1940. The match remains a landmark result in the rivalry, often recalled on #OnThisDay posts by Benfica’s official social media channels.

What are the details of that historic game?

While full match statistics from 1940 are scarce, the 11‑1 scoreline is confirmed by WorldFootball.net as the all‑time biggest win in the series. It stands in stark contrast to the modern, evenly‑contested matches.

The trade‑off: That historic demolition is often cited as Benfica’s greatest achievement against Barcelona, but it has little bearing on today’s form—Barcelona has won six of the last seven meetings.

What does Barcelona need to qualify for the Champions League?

What is Barcelona’s current position?

Barcelona have already qualified for the quarter‑finals of the 2024/25 Champions League by defeating Benfica 4‑1 on aggregate in the round of 16 (FotMob). Their league‑phase performance also placed them in a favorable seeding position.

How does the Benfica result impact their path?

The two wins over Benfica—the 5‑4 comeback and the 1‑0 first leg—provided crucial points and goal difference. To secure a top‑eight finish in the league phase and avoid a playoff round, Barcelona need to maintain form in their other fixtures. A loss to Benfica in the group stage would have complicated that, but they avoided it.

Six key stats, one clear story: Barcelona dominates in almost every modern metric, but the 1940 anomaly reminds us of Benfica’s historical moment.

The trade‑off: Benfica’s one historic blowout doesn’t offset Barcelona’s overwhelming consistency and silverware count.

Timeline: key Benfica vs Barcelona moments

• 1940 – Benfica 11‑1 Barcelona: the heaviest defeat in Barça history (WorldFootball.net).
• 2020s – Multiple Champions League encounters, including a 0‑0 draw and a 3‑1 Barcelona win (UEFA).
• January 21, 2025 – Benfica 4‑5 Barcelona: a thrilling comeback capped by Raphinha’s stoppage‑time winner (ESPN).
• March 5, 2025 – Barcelona 1‑0 Benfica (first leg, round of 16): Raphinha scores the winner; Pau Cubarsí sent off (Sports Mole).
• March 11, 2025 – Barcelona 3‑1 Benfica (second leg): Barcelona advance 4‑1 on aggregate (FotMob).

“Barcelona handled the pressure of playing with ten men and still found a way to win. That says everything about their mentality this season.”

— Sports Mole match analyst

“Raphinha’s stoppage‑time goal was a moment of pure brilliance—it turned what looked like a draw into a dramatic win that could define Barcelona’s campaign.”

— ESPN match reporter

“The head‑to‑head number from UEFA shows that Barcelona have been the dominant force, but Benfica’s 11‑1 victory remains a historical outlier that every fan remembers.”

— UEFA historical records

For Barcelona, the path is clear: three wins over Benfica in a single season have erased any doubt about their superiority in this matchup. The qualification for the Champions League quarter‑finals is already secured. But the real test lies ahead—if they can replicate this composure against stronger opponents, a deep run awaits. If they slip, the historic 11‑1 defeat serves as a reminder that no lead is ever safe in this rivalry. For Benfica, the lesson is equally stark: without a drastic tactical shift, their wait for a win over the Catalans will continue.

Fans looking for a comprehensive overview can explore the Benfica vs Barcelona head-to-head stats to see how the rivalry has evolved over the years.

Frequently asked questions