Barcelona pair match Messi-Neymar benchmark during Benfica clash | OneFootball

A head-turning statistic, highlighting the ongoing excellence of Barcelona pair Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in the Champions League this season, has come to the fore online.

Barcelona are of course currently locked in action, on the continent.

Hansi Flick’s troops have made the trip to Lisbon, for a Champions League Last-16 first-leg showdown with Portuguese heavyweights Benfica.

Inside the opening 25 minutes, the Blaugrana’s hopes of securing an advantage to take back to Catalunya were dealt a heavy blow, upon Pau Cubarsí being shown a straight red card.

This, however, did not step the evening’s visitors from ultimately taking the lead in the clash.

In a moment of sheer individual quality, Raphinha intercepted the ball inside the Benfica half, before rifling home an unstoppable left-footed finish from outside the area.

And as much, as alluded to above, has since given rise to an altogether noteworthy statistic.

As revealed by statistician MisterChip:

‘Lewandowski and Raphinha are only the 2nd Barcelona pair with 9+ goals (each) in a single Champions League season, after Lionel Messi and Neymar in 2014/15.’

Conor Laird – GSFN