Fighting for their lives after just one win in their last seven UCL matches at tonight’s venue, Benfica gave the visitors a lesson in finishing just two minutes into proceedings, as a long diagonal ball fell to Fredrik Aursnes on the edge of the box.

He crossed in for Vangelis Pavlidis to fire in his second UCL goal of the season at close range, but Barcelona won a penalty shortly after that setback, Tomás Araújo’ clipped Alejandro Balde’s heel inside the box.

Cool as ever, Robert Lewandowski deceived Anatoliy Trubin with a hop before striking into the bottom-right corner for his 86th career penalty conversion out of a possible 96.

A couple of minutes later, Gavi was put through on goal by a deflection and forced a reflex save from Trubin. Barcelona might have pressed on from there, but their comedy of errors soon resumed, with a Benfica ball over the top seeing Wojciech Szczęsny brainlessly charge out of his box and collide with Balde.

That allowed Pavlidis to roll the ball into an empty net, and it would get worse still for Szczęsny, when he upended Kerem Aktürkoğlu after he broke through the lines. Pavlidis stepped up and completed his hat-trick with a calm conversion down the middle.

Barcelona avoided further calamity for the rest of the half, save for Raphinha firing wide when it looked easier to score from a Benfica error, and then emerged strongly after the interval.

Jules Koundé was put through by a ball over the top but fluffed his lines with a mis-hit that might have halved the deficit.

With a bit more composure, Lamine Yamal may have succeeded where the Frenchman failed, but he could only fire over drastically when he picked up a lofted pass on the edge of the Benfica box.

At the hour mark, Barca boss Hansi Flick made a double change to try and salvage some pride from a dark night in Lisbon.

And the fightback was firmly on almost immediately, with yet another surreal addition to the scoresheet, as Trubin’s routine kick downfield flew straight onto the head of Raphinha and straight into the net, giving Barcelona newfound belief.

That belief was instantly quashed though, with Benfica netting for a fourth time when Tomás Araújo’s aerial ball across goal fell to Andreas Schjelderup, whose attempted square was deflected into the net by Ronald Araújo.

Barcelona just simply would not accept defeat, and they won their second penalty of the night, when Nicolás Otamendi felled Yamal in the area.

Lewandowski put the ball in the exact same spot as before to set up a nervy finish for Benfica. And it was all too much for Benfica in the end, as Pedri put in a cross to the back post that Eric García headed in at point-blank range.

There was more drama deep into injury time though, as Benfica saw a penalty appeal turned down and Raphinha scored on the counter to break Benfica’s hearts and put their chances of direct qualification for the Round of 16 in real jeopardy, while all but sealing Barcelona’s own prospects of doing so.

The Spanish giants have been forced to de-register both players after failing to extend their licences beyond January 2.

A statement on Tuesday evening from La Liga read: “As of Dec. 31, Barcelona have not presented any alternative, in accordance with La Liga’s economic rules, that allow the registration of players from January 2.”

The matter has since been escalated to the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), and Raphinha admits that this upheaval could be off-putting to some players.

“Yes, it can have an impact, I can’t say the opposite,” he said in quotes published by The Athletic.

“If I was in another club seeing the situation they are going through, I would probably wonder if coming here is the best option.

“When I signed for Barca, I knew the situation the club was going through. I saw a chance to play for this shirt and I waited until the very last moment. I don’t regret at all my decision.”

Olmo and Victor were only issued with temporary permits that ran until the end of December.

Despite the issue, Olmo is reportedly willing to bide his time and committed to remaining with Barcelona.

It is a far-from-ideal situation for Barca coach Hansi Flick who is preparing for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on Wednesday.

However, the German stressed he has no regrets about agreeing to become the club’s head coach.

When quizzed about Raphinha’s comments in the pre-match press conference, he replied: “I don’t know. The only thing I can say is that I trust the club.

“When I was in this situation [of signing for Barcelona], I knew the club, how great the club is and how great the team and the people around it are.

“I love everything around Barcelona. I signed the contract and I would do that again. I have no doubts. It’s amazing to work with everyone here.”

The Brazil international found the net twice in the second half as Hansi Flick’s men moved four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

With the sides level at the break, Raphinha’s crucial first goal came in the 56th minute from the penalty spot after the returning Lamine Yamal was fouled in the box.

Teenager Yamal then found his captain with a sublime cross using the outside of his foot 18 minutes later, which Raphinha slotted in for his 11th league goal of the season.

Second-half substitutes Frenkie De Jong and Pau Victor put the gloss on the victory with two goals in five minutes as Barcelona bounced back from Sunday’s defeat to Las Palmas in style.

With top scorer Robert Lewandowski on the bench, Flick’s decision to start Torres paid off after the former Manchester City forward gave the visitors a 12th-minute lead following a terrible defensive mix-up.

The hosts pegged the La Liga leaders back on the stroke of half-time after Samu Costa freed Pablo Maffeo beyond Barcelona’s offside trap and the right-back slipped in Vedat Muriqi to level.

Next up for Barcelona is a trip to Real Betis on Saturday, while Mallorca visit Celta Vigo.

Raphina opener the scoring inside the first minute after latching on to a ball over the top and rounding goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

England captain Harry Kane equalised for the visitors by volleying in Serge Gnabry’s cross at the back post in the 18th minute.

But Barcelona continued to punish Bayern’s ineffective high line with Fermin Lopez sent through and poking the ball past Neuer to set Robert Lewandowski up for the host’s second 18 minutes later.

On the stroke of half-time captain for the night Raphinha made it 3-1 with a fabulous curling finish from the edge of the box.

And shortly after the restart he completed his hat-trick, latching on to another long ball and firing a shot into the far corner.

Hansi Flick’s side are the only team to win all four matches at the start of the campaign and moved seven points ahead of champions Real Madrid.

It was the former Leeds winger who opened the scoring in the 20th minute at the Olympic Stadium.

Striker Robert Lewandowski added a second goal just four minutes after the opener for his fourth of the season.

Valladolid kept the Catalans at bay until stoppage time in the first half, when defender Jules Kounde secured a healthy lead after prodding home from a corner.

Brazil’s Raphinha scored two in eight minutes to secure the match ball before new signing Dani Olmo added a sixth with his second goal for the club.

Substitute Ferran Torres rounded off a fantastic display from Flick’s men ahead of the international break.

And, none more so than Barcelona’s trip to Paris St-Germain as the five-time winners came from behind to earn a 3-2 victory before next Tuesday’s second leg.

Former Leeds winger Raphinha shone in Paris, as Kylian Mbappe failed to impress.

There were also some record-breaking teenagers in Barcelona’s side, who showed brilliant resolve in the face of a hostile Parisian crowd when they were trailing.

‘First-class’ Raphinha delivers

Brazil winger Raphinha had never scored in the Champions League before Wednesday’s tie in Paris, but you wouldn’t have known it with the quality of his finishes.

For his opener, he capitalised on a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma to sweep home a loose ball.

His second, which pulled Barcelona back level, showed superb skill as he watched Pedri’s clipped pass come over his shoulder before he volleyed home with the outside of his left foot.

“I thought Raphinha was first class,” said 2007 Champions League runner-up Peter Crouch on TNT Sports. “There was so much to admire technically about his second goal.”

Barcelona boss Xavi told TNT Sports: “Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski made the difference and Pedri helped us a lot. I’m very happy and very proud of the team.”

The 27-year-old was a danger throughout and had the most shots (six), shots on target (four) and touches in the opposition box (six) for Barcelona.

He won man of the match and told Uefa.com: “These last few weeks, we’ve been working very hard in training. To come here and to return home with a win is pretty positive I’d say. Winning is important, but this tie is nowhere near finished.”

‘Mbappe can’t be as bad again?’

On the opposite side was Mbappe. A World Cup winner and runner-up with France, who was third in last year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Champions League is one trophy that has so far deserted the 25-year-old, though.

This season represents his final chance to win the trophy for PSG too, with the forward set to leave and join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

His cut-back from the byeline enabled PSG to equalise after a poor clearance, but he was, on the whole, well-handled by the Barcelona defence.

He was restricted to just three shots, none of which were on target, and had the fewest touches of any outfield PSG player to play the full game (44).

“The best player in the world, Kylian Mbappe, didn’t perform today and when he doesn’t perform then invariably PSG don’t perform,” said 2008 Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports.

“He can’t be as bad again [in the second leg]. There is no concern about him freezing on the big stage, it is normally when he comes alive. If he decides to turn it on, then he is the guy that can take them through.”

Ferdinand added that PSG will have to show a “much better version of themselves” in next Tuesday’s second leg, but there is “more in the tank”.

Barca youngsters break Champions League records

Barcelona’s side has some experienced heads in 35-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and 33-year-old Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan but there is plenty of youth too.

They made history with Spanish winger Lamine Yamal (16 years and 272 days) and defender Pau Cubarsi (17 years and 79 days) becoming the youngest players to feature in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Defenders Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are both 25, while 21-year-old Pedri was joined by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez off the bench.

They could have easily been overawed by the barrage of PSG pressure their side were under when they were introduced but they turned the game on its head.

“The young kids were tremendous,” said Ferdinand.

“They were carried at times by the experience but sometimes you need that fearless of Cubarsi and Yamal.

“If you think what we were doing at 16 or 17 there was no way we could have gone in and performed at that level, with that kind of energy, aura and chest out to say ‘I’m meant to be here’.”

Xavi said the club have to be “proud” of their youngsters, adding: “They have more commitment with the team. I’m happy because it’s a new Barca but we’re in a good way.”

Barcelona are playing at this stage of the tournament for the first time since 2020 and have only reached the last four in one of their past five attempts.

They might need the know-how of the experienced players and fearlessness of youth to make it two from six next week.

With El Clasico still to come, Madrid cannot afford to slip up when they face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

Barcelona dominated the game and had 69% possession against Las Palmas but struggled to find a breakthrough until Raphinha’s 59th-minute winner, assisted by substitute Joao Felix.

Barcelona were aided by a red card for Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles who was sent off following a foul outside the box on a surging Raphinha.

The hosts hit the bar through Robert Lewandowski before the introduction of Joao Felix gave them extra impetus.

The Portuguese star provided a chipped assist for Raphinha’s headed goal before hitting the bar himself.

Raphinha put Xavi’s side into the lead with a header from Sergio Busquets’ dinked ball over the top.

They looked set to take control of the game when they won a penalty in the second half but Ferran Torres hit the post against his old team.

Ansu Fati struck the woodwork a minute later and Barcelona ended with 10 men after Ronald Araujo was sent off.

The Barca defender was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Hugo Duro, who was running on to Jules Kounde’s poor header.

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept his 18th clean sheet in 24 La Liga games this season and only had to make one save, keeping out Justin Kluivert’s 20-yard strike with seconds left.

Real Madrid can reduce the gap to seven points again when they visit fifth-placed Real Betis at 20:00 GMT.

Barcelona were without their three top scorers Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri through injury, while boss Xavi was watching from the stands as he served a touchline ban.

Valencia remain in the relegation zone after the defeat.

The 25-year-old Brazilian forward was unveiled to fans at the Catalan club’s training ground on Friday.

Raphinha, who joined Leeds from French side Rennes for £17m in 2020, made 65 Premier League appearances for the Yorkshire club, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists.

“It’s a dream come true since I was a kid,” Raphinha told Barca TV.

“I’m going to give my best.”

Leeds United paid tribute to Raphinha in a club statement confirming his departure: “We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to Raphinha for his effort and contribution whilst at the football club.

“He showed unquestionable commitment and professionalism until the very end of his time at Elland Road and his celebrations at the Brentford Community Stadium will live long in the memory.”

Raphinha scored a penalty for Leeds in a 2-1 victory at Brentford on the final day of the 2021/22 season that secured their place in the Premier League.

Leeds and Barcelona reached an agreement in principle on Wednesday, with the initial fee, reported to be £50m, rising to a potential £55m with add-ons. Contract details are yet to be confirmed but the Brazilian forward is expected to sign for five years.

Raphinha had appeared set for a move to Chelsea until Barcelona expressed interest.

Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Arsenal and Spurs were also understood to have been keen on the Elland Road attacker but his preferred choice has always been to switch to La Liga.

He made his full senior debut for Brazil in October and has since earned nine caps and scored three goals for the national side.

Raphinha is the second major player to depart Leeds this summer following Kalvin Phillips’ £45m move to Manchester City.

The move for the 25-year-old Brazil playmaker is reportedly worth an initial 58m euros (£49m).

Both clubs announced “an agreement in principle” had been reached, pending the player passing a medical.

In two seasons at Elland Road Raphinha played in 65 Premier League games, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists.

Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch had earlier confirmed the player was leaving.

“I’m hopeful for him to get this deal done because I know it’s his dream to play for Barcelona,” Marsch said during the club’s tour of Australia.

The player looked set for a move to Chelsea before Barcelona expressed interest in him.

Premier League sides Arsenal and Spurs were also understood to have been keen on the former Rennes player but his preferred choice has always been the Catalan club.

Marsch said the money for Raphinha and from the sale of midfielder Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City “allows us to take the club on the next steps we need to go in the future”.

It is understood the fee for Raphina’s move to the Nou Camp could eventually rise to 65m euros (£54.7m) with add-ons.

Raphinha moved to Leeds from French side Rennes for £17m in 2020 and has two years left on his contract at Elland Road. The French club are believed to be due a sell-on fee based on the profit Leeds make.

Marsch omitted Raphinha from the Whites’ travelling party for a three-game tour of Australia in the hope his future could be resolved swiftly.

The winger did however return to training at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground with the remainder of the squad.