Barcelona fans demand player is immediately sold after Benfica win as match ends in chaotic tunnel brawl

Barcelona’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday night secured their progression to the next round of the Champions League, but the match was overshadowed by controversy on and off the pitch. Despite the dramatic win, many fans left furious, calling for a particular player to be sold immediately.

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. The Blaugrana found themselves trailing 4-2 with just 13 minutes remaining. Robert Lewandowski, ever the reliable talisman, converted his second penalty of the night to bring Barcelona back into the contest. Minutes later, Eric Garcia leveled the scoreline in the 86th minute, setting the stage for an exhilarating finish.

In injury time, Raphinha emerged as the hero. The Brazilian winger raced onto a perfectly placed through ball, beat the Benfica defense, and slotted home past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The goal secured all three points for Barcelona, sending their players and fans into jubilation.

However, the drama didn’t end there. Benfica’s players were incensed, arguing that they were denied a penalty in the lead-up to Raphinha’s goal. Leandro Barreiro went down in Barcelona’s box, but the referee waved away their appeals. Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, culminating in a chaotic brawl in the tunnel that reportedly required police intervention.

While Barcelona celebrated a hard-fought win, much of the post-match discussion among fans centered on goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The Polish veteran, who came out of retirement to join Barcelona in October, had an error-strewn performance that left many questioning his place in the team.

Szczesny was directly at fault for Benfica’s second goal, misjudging a routine ball and colliding with a teammate in a moment of utter confusion. Although he made a crucial save to deny Angel Di Maria late in the game, his overall performance did little to inspire confidence.

Fans quickly took to social media to vent their frustrations. One fan on X wrote, “Please sell Szczesny. What is he doing there? This is the Champions League. Wake up.” Another quipped, “They should sell Szczesny and put me in goal.” The criticism was relentless, with another fan adding, “It was at this exact moment, Wojciech Szczęsny knew he should have stayed retired.”

The 34-year-old was brought in to deputize for Inaki Pena after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury but has struggled to impress in his limited appearances. Tuesday’s game was just Szczesny’s fourth outing for the Catalan giants, and fans are beginning to lose patience.

Despite the backlash, there were some who defended Szczesny. One fan commented, “I’m not going to blame Szczesny or anyone at all for yesterday’s performance because everybody was making stupid mistakes. Even the Benfica players. Everyone was really nervous, I guess.”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also came to Szczesny’s defense during his post-match press conference. “What player doesn’t make mistakes? We all make them. We win and lose together. I liked what I saw in the second half,” Flick stated, emphasizing unity within the squad.

The chaotic finish to the game added another layer to an already dramatic night. Tempers flared as players from both sides clashed in the tunnel after the match. Reports claim that security personnel and local police had to step in to separate the players.

Barcelona’s victory means they have amassed 18 points from a possible 21, ensuring automatic qualification for the knockout stages. However, the team’s defensive frailties remain a concern, with Szczesny’s errors underlining the need for improvement at the back.

The Blaugrana will now shift their focus to La Liga, where they are set to host Valencia at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this weekend. It remains to be seen whether Szczesny will retain his spot in the lineup or if Flick will opt for a change.

For all the on-field heroics, the aftermath of the Benfica clash has left Barcelona fans divided. While some celebrate the never-say-die attitude displayed by the team, others are calling for significant changes, starting with Szczesny’s departure.

The goalkeeper’s future at the club is now uncertain, and his performance against Benfica may have pushed him closer to the exit door. As Barcelona aim for silverware on multiple fronts, the pressure will only intensify in the coming weeks.

One thing is certain: Barcelona’s thrilling win over Benfica will be remembered not just for the goals but for the drama and controversies that unfolded both on and off the pitch. Fans will hope the team can learn from their mistakes and continue their quest for European glory.