It’s customary for the Champions League to overdeliver on drama but rarely quite like Tuesday night’s game between Barcelona and Benfica.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Benfica forward Vangelis Pavlidis has scored the third-fastest hat trick at the start of a Champions League game on Tuesday, against Barcelona. The Greece international scored two minutes into the match and then in the 22nd and 30th minutes as Benfica led Barcelona 3-1 at halftime.

Barcelona have secured their passage into the last 16 of the Champions League with six wins and one defeat to date. Liverpool, who beat Lille 2-1, top the league stage from Barca in second, and are the only other side to be assured to skip the playoff round at this stage.

Benfica will square off against FC Barcelona on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Champions League action kicks off in 2025 and Barcelona look to secure their place in the round of 16 when they visit Benfica. Barcelona dropped points in La Liga for the seventh time in their last eight games,

Benfica vs. Barcelona lineups, predicted starting 11, team news. Benfica head coach Bruno Lage is expected to have a full squad to pick from as Barcelona land in Lisbon. The hosts

Dani Olmo will miss Barcelona's Champions League match against Benfica this Tuesday due to a strain in his right calf muscle.