Barcelona scored an improbable victory over Benfica on Tuesday night, scoring in the 96th minute, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat after the home team had a penalty appeal rejected on the same play. Raphinha was the hero of the night for Barcelona and the villain for Benfica.
The Brazilian striker was at the center of the Barcelona players’ brawl during stoppage time, and at the center of a fight that broke out in the tunnel after the match, with Spanish broadcaster Movistar+ broadcasting the cries of players and staff without images.
According to A Bola in Portugal, reported by Sport, the president of Benfica, Rui Costa, was another of the main protagonists, as was Eric García, on behalf of Barcelona. As the teams moved through the tunnel, Benfica players allegedly began insulting Barcelona players, and Barcelona match delegate Carles Naval had to intervene to separate Raphinha and García from their rivals.
Raphinha has already racked up an impressive 25 goals and 9 assists this season. With 34 matches played and many months of competition still ahead of him, the Brazilian is on track to compete for all the major individual awards if he maintains this incredible form. @sport pic.twitter.com/Wu5RS9YTWP
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 22, 2025
Costa left the Directors’ Box without saying a word to his counterpart Joan Laporta, and headed straight to the tunnel after the game, to stop referee Danny Makkelie. The referees had to be escorted by security to their dressing room to get them away from Costa, and he could face a sanction if the incident appears in the UEFA report.
Raphinha also commented on the incident after the match.
“I am a person who respects everyone. when i left [the pitch]There were people who insulted me. I returned the insults. “I know it shouldn’t be done, but in the end we all get angry.”
“The Benfica team could have held back. If they respect me, I respect them. “It’s normal in football after the end of the game like that.”
According to Cadena Cope, the Portuguese police were also involved. They say police blocked the entrance to the Barcelona locker room and also had to escort Raphinha away from the incident.