Benfica4 - 5Barcelona

Lewandowski moved level on 18 with Lionel Messi when he struck his first spot kick against Benfica in the 13th minute of the contest, before netting again from the spot in the 78th minute to make it 19 successful Champions League penalties.

The 36-year-old is now level with Ronaldo and could have the chance to break that record in this season's competition, with Barcelona through to the knockout round of the prestigious tournament.

Lewandowski has been in red-hot form for Hansi Flick's side during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 28 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions, including nine goals in seven Champions League outings.

The forward also now has the best penalty conversion rate in the history of the Champions League for players who have taken more than six spot kicks, finding the back of the net with 19 of his 20 penalties in the tournament.

Lewandowski has now scored 19 penalties in the Champions League

Barcelona trailed 3-1 and 4-2 against Benfica on Tuesday night, but they sensationally won 5-4 courtesy of two late goals, and the victory has seen them advance to the knockout round of the Champions League with a game to spare.

"It was a crazy game. The best thing was the mentality. This is football. I have never experienced a comeback like this before," Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told reporters after the match.

"They are very good in transitions and they scored on us. They forced us to defend very deep, as we weren't well positioned. The substitutions helped us a lot. For us, now it's important to focus on Valencia and then Atalanta. We don't think about being calm. We want to beat Atalanta as well."

Flick defends Szczesny after questionable performance

Flick also refused to criticise Wojciech Szczesny, with the experienced goalkeeper chosen between the sticks ahead of Inaki Pena in what was a controversial call from the Barcelona head coach.

Szczesny was at fault in the first half of the contest, as Benfica scored three times in the first 30 minutes, but Flick was not prepared to single out the stopper after the nine-goal thriller in the Champions League.

"He made some mistakes in the first half. But like everyone else. I don't talk in these situations about individual performances. Then he made important saves in Benica's chances. We win together and we lose together," he told reporters.

"We analyse everything. Inaki has done well. There is nothing against Inaki, what I have done is a decision for the team. We'll see what happens on Sunday."

Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga on Sunday evening, when they host Valencia, before ending their Champions League league-phase campaign against Atalanta BC next week.

Written by

Matt Law