Wednesday December 5, 2012 Group Stage: Group G Finished Camp Nou

  1. Champions League - Draw at Barcelona sends Benfica out

    Champions League - Draw at Barcelona sends Benfica out

    Benfica crashed out of the Champions League after a 0-0 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • FC Barcelona
    • Benfica
    • - Thanks for joining us this evening!
    • - The away side had nearly 20 chances this evening, but couldn't convert any of them and as Celtic beat Spartak Moscow 2-1 in Glasgow it is the SPL side who progress. Benfica are out.
    • 90'+6 FULL TIME! That's it at Camp Nou. Barcelona 0-0 Benfica.
    • 90'+5 One final attack for Benfica - CHANCE FOR MAXI PEREIRA BUT HE SHOOTS OVER!!! Rodrigo went through one-on-one but his touch was poor, the ball eventually fell to Maxi Pereira and he launched it over the bar from 15 yards...
    • 90'+4 Poor delivery as Planas heads clear at the front post. Benfica come at Barcelona again... Long throw from Maxi Pereira coming up... Puyol heads away. Cesar gets a shot in but it's weak. That could be Benfica's last chance...
    • 90'+3 Corner for Benfica. Expect the kitchen sink here...
    • 90'+2 Villa is caught offside as Barca get forward, but the play immediately goes up the other end as Benfica seek the goal that would completely change the face of Group G.
    • 90'+1 Five minutes will be added on here. Pinto almost comes a cropper as he dallies on the ball inside his area.
    • 90' Into the final minutes of scheduled time now, and Benfica boss Jorge Jesus gives some last-ditch instructions to his players...
    • 88' Deulofeu winds his way through a few challenges and gets a shot off, but it's wide.
    • 88' So Barcelona down to 10 men now, and there will be a few minutes added on at the end for that too.
    • 87' Messi is stretchered off with what looks like an injury to his left knee.
    • 85' Messi appears to have injured himself in that passage of play. Barca have used all of their substitutions...
    • 84' Messi through, he rounds the 'keeper, Artur gets a hand on the ball, Messi turns and tries to chip the retreating Artur but the Benfica man recovers and saves!
    • 83' Latest from Glasgow - Celtic have taken the lead with a penalty against Spartak. As it stands Celtic go through, and Benfica go out.
    • 82' Benfica on the front foot now but a wayward pass sees the move break down.
    • 81' Into the final 10 minutes now and Benfica still looking for a way through, but Barcelona seem to be in control of the game now...
    • 79' Messi takes the free-kick but Artur has it well covered.
    • 78' Vilanova uses the break in play to replace Tello with Deulofeu...
    • 78' Matic clatters into Messi on the edge of the area and gives away a free-kick. He picks up a yellow too. Chance for the home side here...
    • 76' Villa drifts in off the right and tries to arrow a ball to Messi, but it's blocked.
    • 74' Lima is taken off as Benfica boss Jorge Jesus sends Oscar Cardozo on. Andre Almeida is also sent on in place of Rodrigo.
    • 73' Barcelona now taking hold of the game as Planas gets down the left side and crosses.
    • 71' Barca definitely seeing more attacking play with Messi on, and they win another corner... Messi gets on the ball shortly after and dances along the edge of the area, but just can't find enough space to get the shot off.
    • 70' Messi with a free-kick from 25 yards or so, but he gets too much height on the ball and it sails over the bar.
    • 70' Maxi Pereira steams through Pique as he clears man and ball out. Tough challenge, but borderline fair so play goes on.
    • 69' Thiago sends in Barcelona's first corner of the evening, but Benfica marshal their defence well and clear the danger.
    • 67' Ball comes in from the right for Benfica and Pique completely misses it - Cesar gets chance number 15 of the game for Benfica on target.
    • 66' Messi pulled back by Matic and Barca win another free-kick in midfield. Meanwhile, Pique comes on for Adriano.
    • 64' Nice work from Benifca and in particular John as they carve an opening, and Pinto tips the ball around the post for a corner.
    • 63' Nolito makes way for Bruno Cesar as Benfica send on a fresh pair of legs.
    • 61' Song trips Melgarejo and Benfica win a free-kick in a decent spot. The delivery comes in and Luisao meets the ball unchallenged, but his header is poor.
    • 60' Now Adriano goes into the book after a rash challenge on Rodrigo. Poor challenge.
    • 59' Messi's presence immediately draws Luisao into a foul, and the Benfica man is booked.
    • 58' Rafinha is taken off by Vilanova, and Messi is sent on to the delight of the home crowd.
    • 57' CHANCE FOR BARCELONA! Villa gets in on goal and looks to be caught in two minds as to whether to shoot or play the ball inside. In the end he manages neither.
    • 56' Garay gets booked for a foul on Sergi Roberto.
    • 56' Benfica come forward now and Nolito has the chance to get a shot in, but his effort is weak.
    • 55' Tello leaves Maxi Pereira on the seat of his pants inside the Benfica box as he twists and turns past him, but he just can't get the ball into the danger zone.
    • 54' Villa beats the wall, getting the ball up and over and down again, but Artur works his feet well to get across and make a comfortable save.
    • 53' Maxi Pereira dumps Tello on the Camp Nou turf with a heavy one. Free-kick 30 yards out, and Villa lines it up...
    • 52' Villa gets a shot on target but it's a weak effort and doesn't trouble Artur. Good work from Tello down the left side to create the opening.
    • 51' Pinto hands are warmed with a powerful shot from Maxi Pereira, but it's the right height for the 'keeper to save comfortably.
    • 50' Tello gets in down the left and looks inside for a square pass, but the ball he plays is a poor one. Not been a very impressive evening so far for him.
    • 49' Rafinha picks up a yellow card for a bit of dissent.
    • 48' Villa caught offside again, but this time it is fractional...
    • 46' CHANCE FOR BENFICA! Straight from the off and Lima crosses from the right - Nolito meets it with a sweeping half volley that curls just wide.
    • 46' KICK OFF! Benfica start the second half...
    • 45'+1 HALF TIME. Goalless at the break - the home crowd are chanting Messi's name as the whistle blows. Stay with us - we'll back shortly for the second half!
    • 45'+1 Rodrigo has a go and curls a shot well over after cutting inside a challenge on the right side.
    • 45' Pinto gets down to make a comfortable save from a shot by Gomes.
    • 44' The delivery comes in and Villa meets it with a header, but he's offside, again...
    • 43' Yellow card for Nolito as he gives away a free-kick in a dangerous spot. Barca poised for a chance...
    • 42' Barcelona crafting some nice forward play as they try to forge a chance in the lead-up to half time.
    • 40' The latest from Glasgow: Spartak have equalised, and are now drawing 1-1 with Celtic. As things stand Benfica would now progress... It can all still change - a few times - however!
    • 39' Barca break and the ball eventually comes to Rafinha. Some neat footwork inside the Benfica area doesn't create enough of an opening though and the danger is cleared.
    • 38' The away side are really piling the pressure on now. Nolito with a bit of hard work and skill to hook the ball into the six-yard area but it's cleared.
    • 37' Edging closer to half time and Benfica manager Jorge Jesus must be wondering how on earth his side aren't leading here...
    • 35' ANOTHER CHANCE FOR BENFICA! It goes begging though!! How have they not scored yet?! John gets in on goal, cuts inside a challenge from Planas and fires the ball low to Pinto's left but another good fingertip save from the 'keeper maintains a goalless scoreline!
    • 34' A bit of midfield warfare unfolds as the ball pings around...
    • 32' BENFICA HIT THE POST!! Lima breaks through and tries to beat Pinto with a curling shot low to the keeper's left, but the Barca man manages to tip it onto the base of the post!
    • 31' Barca try to break but a loose touch from Rafinha - moments after singing his praises - kills a promising counter attack.
    • 30' Excellent cut out by Adriano as he slides in to block a tempting John cross from the right side. Benfica have a corner, but don't trouble Barca too much.
    • 29' Rafinha's impressed inside the opening half hour. He's been everywhere for Barcelona.
    • 28' Barcelona pushing forward again but Villa checks his run as he's offside.
    • 26' Tello mis-places a pass inside Benfica's half and the Portuguese outfit bring the ball out of defence and stream forward. They win a corner...
    • 24' Barcelona come close as Rafinha has an effort blocked. Tello's cross from the left is met by a sliding Rafinha, but he can't get it on target.
    • 23' That'll go down as a chance for Tello. He gets fed through, tries to take the ball past Artur but his touch is too heavy and the ball carries out for a goal-kick.
    • 22' Tello is flagged offside as he springs forward...
    • 21' News from Celtic Park and the home side have taken the lead against Spartak... That means that as things stand, Celtic go through and Benfica are out.
    • 20' One corner is defended, another is conceded. Pinto is forced to come out and punch clear and moments later - CHANCE BENFICA! Nolito puts a great cross in from the left and Lima stoops to head at the near post but it's wide! Great opportunity...
    • 19' Another long throw comes in and causes a bit of chaos in the Barca box. Benfica win a corner.
    • 18' Barcelona back in possession now and knocking the ball around with confidence in midfield.
    • 16' Lima and John seem to be enjoying plenty of ball at the moment, and another attack breaks down with a mis-placed pass. Barca's back four a bit ragged at the moment.
    • 15' Now it's Barcelona's defence who are having their wits tested. Benfica starting to probe.
    • 13' John puts in a decent cross from the left wing but it's headed clear. Benfica sensing they can stretch this Barca side - perhaps they were a little too respectful in those opening 10 minutes.
    • 12' Benfica keep the pressure on and win a couple of corners in quick succession...
    • 11' CHANCE FOR BENFICA! Rodrigo misses a golden opportunity!! He beats the offside trap and has a free run at goal. With all the time in the world Rodrigo steadies himself, opens his body up and shoots wide. He won't get another chance like that any time soon...
    • 9' A slight break in play as Artur gathers his breath. Looks like he took one where it hurts when saving from Villa's offside effort a minute or two ago.
    • 8' Villa caught offside for the second time in as many minutes. He's already testing the Benfica back line's organisational skills...
    • 7' Song with a solid tackle in midfield and he tries to thread Villa through the middle. Benfica shut it out.
    • 6' Great run from Adriano as he rips through the Benfica midfield, clearing a couple of challenges and feeding Villa. The Spaniard is offside though.
    • 5' The TV director has already cut to Messi sitting on the bench twice. The Argentine looks as relaxed as ever though.
    • 4' Benfica keep the pressure on and win a throw, which comes long into the box. Pinto's alert though and rushes out to gather.
    • 3' First corner of the game goes the way of Benfica but Barca defend it easily enough.
    • 2' Assured start from the youngsters of Barcelona as they knock the ball around in much the same way as their more experienced colleagues.
    • 19:45 KICK OFF! We're underway and it's Barca who kick off.
    • 19:40 Teams in the tunnel now, and out they trot onto the pitch. In Glasgow Celtic and Spartak is close to kick off too. We'll keep you up to date with the score there as well given it's bearing on Benfica's fate.
    • 19:35 Ten minutes to kick off now and the atmosphere inside Camp Nou is warming up...
    • 19:30 Benfica have done well to get themselves in with a chance going into the final game. They took just a single point from their opening three matches, but wins in the last two against Spartak Moscow and Celtic have reignited their hopes.
    • 19:25 A bit of brotherly love, or sibling rivalry? We'll see how it turns out tonight. We're talking of course about the Alcantara brothers who are both starting for Barcelona; Thiago in midfield and Rafinha up front.
    • 19:20 Artur, Ezequiel Garay and Melgarejo have played every minute of Benfica's Champions League campaign this season.
    • 19:15 Benfica were on the wrong end of a 2-0 result when the sides met back in early October. Vilanova has left Benfica in little doubt that they will have to play out of their skins to ensure progression: "I haven't had to motivate the players because they're professionals and it's part of their job."
    • 19:10 Barcelona have beaten Benfica on their way to lifting the trophy twice before, most recently at the quarter-final stage of the 2005/06 competition.
    • 19:05 Benfica manager Jorge Jesus will hope his side can end a 13-game winless streak against Spanish sides with a victory tonight to guarantee second place in Group G. It'll be far from easy at Camp Nou however.
    • 19:00 Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova's understandably decided to rest some of his bigger names, one of them being Lionel Messi. Should the forward come off the bench tonight and score he'll equal Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals in a calendar year.
    • 18:55 Final game in Group G for these teams and it's quite straightforward here. Barcelona are already through to the knockout stages as group winners, Benfica need to match or better Celtic's result against Spartak Moscow to seal second. The Portuguese outfit are level on points with Celtic but ahead of them in the table thanks to their head-to-head record.
    • 18:50 TEAMS - Barcelona: Pinto, Puyol, Villa, Thiago, Montoya, Adriano, Song, Sergi Roberto, Planas, Rafinha, Tello. Subs: Valdes, Pique, Sergi Gomez, Dos Santos, Busquets, Messi, Deulofeu /// Benfica: Artur, Luisao, Maxi Pereira, Garay, Nolito, Matic, Andre Gomes, Lima, John, Rodrigo, Melgarejo. Subs: Paulo Lopes, Luisinho, Jardel, Andre Almeida, Bruno Cesar, Gaitan, Oscar Cardozo.
    • 18:45 Good evening and welcome to LIVE commentary as Barcelona face Benfica at Camp Nou. Kick off is at 19:45 UK time.

  • Summary

    • 90'+5 One final attack for Benfica - CHANCE FOR MAXI PEREIRA BUT HE SHOOTS OVER!!! Rodrigo went through one-on-one but his touch was poor, the ball eventually fell to Maxi Pereira and he launched it over the bar from 15 yards...
    • 90'+4 Poor delivery as Planas heads clear at the front post. Benfica come at Barcelona again... Long throw from Maxi Pereira coming up... Puyol heads away. Cesar gets a shot in but it's weak. That could be Benfica's last chance...
    • 87' Messi is stretchered off with what looks like an injury to his left knee.
    • 84' Messi through, he rounds the 'keeper, Artur gets a hand on the ball, Messi turns and tries to chip the retreating Artur but the Benfica man recovers and saves!
    • 57' CHANCE FOR BARCELONA! Villa gets in on goal and looks to be caught in two minds as to whether to shoot or play the ball inside. In the end he manages neither.
    • 54' Villa beats the wall, getting the ball up and over and down again, but Artur works his feet well to get across and make a comfortable save.
    • 46' CHANCE FOR BENFICA! Straight from the off and Lima crosses from the right - Nolito meets it with a sweeping half volley that curls just wide.
    • 35' ANOTHER CHANCE FOR BENFICA! It goes begging though!! How have they not scored yet?! John gets in on goal, cuts inside a challenge from Planas and fires the ball low to Pinto's left but another good fingertip save from the 'keeper maintains a goalless scoreline!
    • 32' BENFICA HIT THE POST!! Lima breaks through and tries to beat Pinto with a curling shot low to the keeper's left, but the Barca man manages to tip it onto the base of the post!
    • 24' Barcelona come close as Rafinha has an effort blocked. Tello's cross from the left is met by a sliding Rafinha, but he can't get it on target.
    • 20' One corner is defended, another is conceded. Pinto is forced to come out and punch clear and moments later - CHANCE BENFICA! Nolito puts a great cross in from the left and Lima stoops to head at the near post but it's wide! Great opportunity...
    • 11' CHANCE FOR BENFICA! Rodrigo misses a golden opportunity!! He beats the offside trap and has a free run at goal. With all the time in the world Rodrigo steadies himself, opens his body up and shoots wide. He won't get another chance like that any time soon...
    • 18:50 TEAMS - Barcelona: Pinto, Puyol, Villa, Thiago, Montoya, Adriano, Song, Sergi Roberto, Planas, Rafinha, Tello. Subs: Valdes, Pique, Sergi Gomez, Dos Santos, Busquets, Messi, Deulofeu /// Benfica: Artur, Luisao, Maxi Pereira, Garay, Nolito, Matic, Andre Gomes, Lima, John, Rodrigo, Melgarejo. Subs: Paulo Lopes, Luisinho, Jardel, Andre Almeida, Bruno Cesar, Gaitan, Oscar Cardozo.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.2 8
      Defenders
      5.9 6
      7 6
      Yellow Card Substitution Out66′ 6.1 7
      5.3 6
      Midfielders
      5.9 6
      6 7
      5.2 6
      Strikers
      Substitution Out79′ 6.1 5
      6.7 6
      Yellow Card Substitution Out58′ 5.4 7
      Subs
      Substitution In66′ 5.4 6
      Substitution In58′ 6.9 7
      Substitution In79′ 5 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.7 7
      Defenders
      5.4 5
      Yellow Card 5.8 6
      Yellow Card 5.9 6
      5.4 6
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.3 7
      5.6 7
      Yellow Card Substitution Out63′ 5.4 6
      Strikers
      5.7 7
      Substitution Out74′ 5.2 5
      Substitution Out74′ 5.7 6
      Subs
      Substitution In74′ 7.1 6
      Substitution In74′ 6.5 6
      Substitution In63′ 6.2 6

Comment 1 - 18 of 18

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. penalty invented in glasgow , broke the­ benfica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Benfica Eagle Power, on Wed 5 Dec 21:51

  2. Un jour pour le chasseur, un jour pour le gibier.­ Rirera bien qui rirera le dernier. un jour pour­ pleurer, un jour pour rejouir. c'est ça la vie.­ Courage ŕ Messi, mais qu'il passe le reste de la­ saison hospitalisé. Bne chance Leo. Bon courage ­ Jemael from Haiti

    From Barbie, on Wed 5 Dec 21:50

  3. hey peter giruy you manky clown!!!!

    From paul h, on Wed 5 Dec 21:46

  4. oh dear Benfica - you could not even beat a Barca 2nd­ eleven - well done the Celts - we did what Man C could­ not do....

    From CLOSS, on Wed 5 Dec 21:41

  5. Benfica has more shots on goal so far

    From Antoine, on Wed 5 Dec 21:14

  6. messi maybe

    From CLOSS, on Wed 5 Dec 20:48

  7. even if we loose it doesn't matter. And we want­ Messi to make history in LA LIGA rather then in UEFA.­ All BARCA fans would want the same. Let him nd Pique­ take rest for sometime.

    From Pranav raj, on Wed 5 Dec 20:13

  8. For once I don't want Barca to win, purly so it­ ruins Celtic's chances.

    From Stuart, on Wed 5 Dec 20:06

  9. Barca have fielded a weakened team.... Bit like the­ Eurovision, neighbours stick together.

    From CLOSS, on Wed 5 Dec 19:59

  10. barcelona can still win even though Messi is in the­ subs

    From Iram :), on Wed 5 Dec 19:55

  11. why is Messi in the subs????????????????????? ._.

    From Iram :), on Wed 5 Dec 19:54

  12. why is cardozo in the subs/??????????

    From Khalaf, on Wed 5 Dec 19:45

  13. Saludos Barca, no mellamo Leo para decirme si esta­ lesionado!! asi que frnte a un record HISTORICO el de­ 1909 de los 85 goles, me parece que al menos a los­ 15' del 2° tmpo deberia entrar. DALE Barca, que hay­ que apoyar a Messi (como siempre) porque algun dia­ diran: "Leo jugaba en el Barca" o no?

    From Pedro B., on Wed 5 Dec 19:43

  14. i hate vilanova for this line up and not letting us­ enjoy the game with Messi, and why pinto, this guy was­ getting us killed against Alaves, puyol was also angry­ with him just because he never knew or understod when­ to come out and who to play. this had to be the chance­ for Messi to get his goal and equal Gerd Mullers record­ and to convince the world why he is the only one who­ deserves the Ballon Dór again.

    From Amir, on Wed 5 Dec 19:40

  15. Rafinha is brother of Thiago Alcantara and they are­ cousins with Rodrigo from Benfica

    From Petar, on Wed 5 Dec 19:24

  16. BENFICA! We gona knick it 2:1

    From lucas, on Wed 5 Dec 7:31

  17. Barca will win and Messi will Hatrick or at least 2­ goals and will break G Muler's record in champions­ leage agains a best team tonight and will win Ballon­ D'Or. KBL AFG

    From Hashmatullah Naseri, on Wed 5 Dec 6:31

  18. 2-1 barcelona messi 20 cardozo 68 tello 82

    From Jordan, on Tue 4 Dec 22:13
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account