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.
Mohamed Salah scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool on Tuesday as they qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-1 victory over Lille at Anfield. Barcelona beat Benfica 5-4 in a dramatic nine-goal Champions League match.
Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis had a night to remember personally, despite his team's late collapse, scoring a first-half hat trick to put his side 3-1 up.
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.
In the 64th minute, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin tried to clear the ball from what should have been a regulation goal kick.
Wojciech SzczÄ™sny came out of retirement to answer Barcelona's call after Marc-André ter Stegen was ruled out for the season with injury, but he might be regretting it tonight in Lisbon after a howler of epic proportions.
After hours: January 17 at 6:56:28 PM EST