Despite playing with ten men for over an hour, Barcelona came out triumphant in the UCL round-of-16 clash against Benfica. Raphinha's second-half strike was the solitary goal in a stiffly contested encounter in which Benfica failed to capitalise on a 70-minute long numerical advantage. PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports Key match details Just as they did in the league phase clash against the visitors, Benfica had an electric start and came close to the opener through Kerem Akturkoglu inside 18 seconds, but for a Wojciech Szczesny intervention. Hansi Flick's Barcelona soon found their footing, slowly playing their way into the game. Their ascension was marked by Dani Olmo's effort from the edge of the box that whizzed just wide. The visitors were then denied in spectacular fashion by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who produced a stunning triple save to thwart Frenkie De Jong, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal. Barcelona's fortunes took a turn for the worse when Pau Cubarsi received his marching orders for a professional last man foul on Vangelis Pavlidis, who was bearing down on goal. Barcelona had to drop deeper, and Benfica had control of proceedings but failed to break the deadlock in the first half. The match remained a tightly contested affair upon resumption from the break, with neither team doing enough in the final third. Raphinha finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark. The Brazilian winger dispossessed Antonio Silva and drilled a low, hard shot into the bottom corner from outside the area. Benfica pushed hard for an equaliser, with substitutes Andrea Belotti, Joao Rego, Renato Sanches, and Arthur Cabral all coming close. However, Barcelona's ten men held firm to secure the victory ahead of the second-leg clash at Montjuic next week.