Watch: Szczesny's blunder and Pavlidis's hat-trick heroics help Benfica take a 3-1 lead against Barcelona at halftime

This weekend, the UEFA Champions League resumed with an important round of matches, featuring Benfica's clash against Hansi Flick's Barcelona at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Tuesday. 

Though Benfica found themselves in 15th place in the UEFA Champions League standings, they still posed a significant threat to any team on their day.

Barcelona were placed second in the Champions League table and had demonstrated impressive form under the guidance of Hansi Flick. With Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in form this season, the team possessed huge firepower as they approached this important fixture.

Brilliant Pavlidis shocks Barcelona in first half

The hosts shocked the Spanish giants just after kick-off by taking the lead in the 2nd minute. 

The play began in the right-back position and quickly unfolded as the ball was moved to the left. An immediate cross followed, allowing Pavlidis to execute a first-time finish and send the ball rifling into the net from 10 yards out.

https://x.com/SLBcomps/status/1881795246734102572

The Catalans quickly countered with a relentless onslaught. They earned a penalty when Otamendi stepped on Pedri's foot, prompting the referee to consult VAR before making the call. 

Lewandowski converted the penalty, levelling the score in the 13th minute.

In the 22nd minute, in a bizarre turn of events, Szczesny charged out with urgency and, well inside his half, clattered into Balde. This mistake opened up the play for Pavlidis, who seized the opportunity and slotted the ball into an empty net.

https://x.com/AleIsla34/status/1881800636012081271

In the 30th minute, Szczesny charged off his line decisively and fouled Akturkoglu, who chipped the ball over the keeper as he sprinted onto it.

Pavlidis stepped up to take the penalty, and he emphatically completed his hat-trick in a mere 30 minutes. The first half of play exposed Barcelona's high defensive line tactics as well as the lack of a world-class goalkeeper. Benfica led 3-1 at interval.