Eleven minutes after the match began, and just three before the end of regular time in the first half, Brazilian Raphinha scored his brace in the second-leg clash against Benfica.
Otamendi’s goal, which leveled the score at 1-1, remained only a statistical footnote, as Lamine Yamal also found the back of the net in this encounter at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which ended 3-1.
With a one-goal advantage from the first leg in Lisbon, Portugal, Barcelona has now secured its place in this season’s Champions League quarterfinals.
To reach the semifinals and be among the four best teams on the continent, the Catalans will have to defeat Dortmund or Lille, who will play the second leg of their Round of 16 matchup tomorrow.