Benfica 2-6 Barcelona: Blaugrana march into Champions League quarterfinals

Barcelona booked their place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women's Champions League with a 6-2 win away at Benfica on Thursday as goalkeeper Sandra Paños saved two penalties. 

Jonatan Giraldez's side will progress as group winners if they win their final game against Rosengard -- unless Bayern Munich are able to overturn the 12 goal difference which separates the two sides, who are level on 12 points from five games. 

Irene Paredes gave Barça a seventh-minute lead in Lisbon with a header from a corner but the home side competed in an even first half. 

Claudia Pina eventually doubled Barça's lead just before the break and Barça took the game away from the Portuguese hosts in the early stages of the second period. 

Aitana Bonmati made it three with her fifth European goal of the campaign and Ana-Maria Crnogorčević added the fourth before the hour mark. 

Benfica did briefly threaten an unlikely comeback. Jessica Silva's stunning goal gave them some hope but when Paños saved Nycole Raysla's penalty in the 73rd minute that hope vanished. 

An Ana Seica own goal extended Barça's lead again but there was another goal to celebrate for Benfica when Cloe Lacasse scored a fine solo goal. 

Substitute Mariona Caldentey added Barça's sixth in the final minute to seal a scoreline which perhaps slightly flattered the visitors and there was still time for Paños to save another penalty, this time from Ana Vitoria.