Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Makes Champions League History with Stunning Goal
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal continues to captivate the football world with his remarkable talent. The 17-year-old delivered a breathtaking performance in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, scoring a stunning goal and providing a crucial assist to propel Barcelona to a 3-1 victory over Benfica in the second leg of their last-16 tie. With a 4-1 aggregate win, Barça advances to the quarterfinals.
From the outset, Yamal dominated the pitch, showcasing his extraordinary dribbling ability and vision. His first moment of magic came in the 11th minute when he picked up the ball near the halfway line and surged forward with blistering pace. Weaving past two defenders, he delivered a pinpoint pass to Raphinha at the back post, setting up Barcelona’s opening goal.
Though Yamal later admitted he had initially attempted to shoot rather than pass, the buildup was mesmerizing and a testament to his attacking prowess.
Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi equalized with a powerful header, but Yamal quickly responded with another moment of brilliance. In the 27th minute, he received the ball near the sideline, cut inside with precision, and unleashed a sublime curling shot into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless. The breathtaking goal left even his teammates in awe.
At just 17 years old, Yamal etched his name into Champions League history as the youngest player ever to register both a goal and an assist in a single match. His impact continues to draw admiration from teammates and football pundits alike.
“His goals simply emphasize what he is – a footballer of tremendous quality,” said Raphinha, who also scored twice in the match.
With Barcelona leading La Liga, the team now sets its sights on the quarterfinals, where they will face either Lille or Borussia Dortmund.
In another thrilling Champions League showdown, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivered a stunning comeback to eliminate Liverpool in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, PSG needed a big performance at Anfield—and they delivered. Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal leveled the aggregate scoreline, setting the stage for an intense battle between two European giants.
PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged as the hero, making crucial saves in the penalty shootout, including stops against Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones. The victory sent PSG into the quarterfinals, sparking jubilant celebrations.
“It’s a magnificent evening for us, for the club, for its history,” said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. “Playing at Anfield is never easy, but it was a perfect night.”
PSG, still chasing its first Champions League title, dominated both legs and proved its credentials as a serious contender. Despite their strong form in the English Premier League, Liverpool found themselves outmatched and heartbroken.
For Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the defeat was bittersweet. “It was the best game of football I was ever involved in,” he said. “The intensity, the quality—it was incredible.”
With PSG moving on to face either Club Brugge or Aston Villa in the quarterfinals, the race for European glory intensifies.
