Barcelona player ratings vs Benfica: Lamine Yamal is from another planet - other-worldly wonderkid puts on Champions League masterclass as red-hot Raphinha boosts Ballon d'Or bid

The 17-year-old once again underlined his world-class credentials with a superb performance in Catalunya to secure a quarter-final berth

Lamine Yamal was the star of the show while Raphinha maintained his superb recent form with two goals as Barcelona cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 second-leg win over Benfica.

Barca held a 1-0 aggregate lead going into Tuesday's second leg, and had that doubled within 10 minutes, as Raphinha finished Yamal's cross-cum-shot at the back post. But within a minute, Benfica were level through Nicolas Otamendi, his header squirming through Wojciech Szczesny's hands.

Yamal was not to be denied, however, and he scored a truly sensational goal to restore Barca's lead on the night, cutting in off the right, beating his man, and floating the ball into the top corner. Raphinha then added a third before half-time, driving low into the bottom corner after Alejandro Balde's brilliant surging run from deep.

Barca should have added a fourth after the hour, as a beautiful flowing move led to Jules Kounde crossing across the box, but Frenkie de Jong could only send the ball wide.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys...

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Goalkeeper & Defence
Wojciech Szczesny (6/10):
Terrible goalkeeping as he let Otamendi's header squirm through. Not really troubled thereafter and regained a measure of control over his area.
Jules Kounde (8/10):
Inverted throughout and caused Benfica all sorts of problems as he dovetailed well with Yamal. Never stretched in defence.
Ronald Araujo (7/10):
Good on the ball and in the air. A fine performance, though he was barely tested after Otamendi's goal.
Inigo Martinez (7/10):
Nowhere near Otamendi when he scored, but played well otherwise as he marshalled the backline, even if he was a little loose in possession.
Alejandro Balde (8/10):
So energetic down the left, constantly looking to drive, and gave Raphinha a beautiful assist with a surging run from deep.

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Midfield
Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
Missed a sitter in the second half but was superb on the ball and drove forward when he could.
Dani Olmo (7/10):
Silky feet throughout and was constantly able to find pockets of space. His influence grew as the game went on before being subbed on 70 minutes.
Pedri (9/10):
Glided through midfield, hurdling challenges and keeping Barca ticking. Pulled off multiple key passes, and tricks and flicks, as well as a number of tackles to regain possession. The complete midfield performance; just a goal was missing.
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Attack
Lamine Yamal (10/10):
It was either a glorious assist or a miscued shot that found Raphinha, but either way, the run that preceded it was sensational. His goal was even better, cutting in off the flank and curling a truly outrageous effort into the top corner. Benfica couldn't deal with him; on this form, few sides can.
Robert Lewandowski (7/10):
Held the ball up very well and carved out a few chances but couldn't hit the net. Replaced on 70 minutes with the game all but won.
Raphinha (9/10):
Great finish to convert Yamal's assist, whether it was a cross or a shot, and another to power home Balde's cute pass. Another example of how he has become one of Barca's best players.

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Subs & Manager
Gavi (6/10):
On for Olmo with 20 minutes to go and slotted into midfield.
Ferran Torres (6/10):
On for Lewandowski. Didn't really get a chance to go at Benfica.
Marc Casado (N/A):
On for De Jong as Barca saw the game out.
Fermin Lopez (N/A):
Replaced Yamal late.
Eric Garcia (N/A):
Came on for Martinez with three minutes left.
Hansi Flick (8/10):
Barcelona purred their way through this last-16 second leg, dominating the ball, territory, and everything else. Yamal was sensational, and Flick was also able to rotate some of his top stars late on. Basically the perfect evening.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Midfield

Attack

Subs & Manager