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Camp Nou - Barcelona 05/12/2012 - 20:45CET (20:45 local time)
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Barcelona - Benfica 0-0 - 05/12/2012 - Match page - UEFA Champions League 2013
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Barcelona stalemate not enough for Benfica
The rarity of a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou resulted in SL Benfica's elimination from the UEFA Champions League following Celtic FC's victory over Spartak Moskva – and also came at the cost of an injury to FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
For Benfica, a night of Group G frustration was summed up in the final minute of stoppage time when Óscar Cardozo was put through, took too long over the opportunity, then helped create a second chance for Ola Josh who blazed over. The last kick of the match was also the Eagles' last of the season in this competition. Nor did this scoreless encounter end happily for group winners Barcelona, with substitute Messi being carried off after colliding with keeper Artur.
Match in 5
- Benfica fail to progress after 0-0 draw and Celtic win
- Portuguese side finish third and go into UEFA Europa League
- Barcelona already guaranteed top spot in Group G
- Benfica's Pereira fires late chance over bar
- Messi came on after break but stretchered off with knee problem
Reaction
It was a game that we wanted to win. The bad news is Leo's [Lionel Messi] injury. I hope it's nothing, we are concerned.
Thiago Alcántara, Barcelona midfielder
We wasted good chances to win. We played a great game and it was a pity the ball didn't go in. It is very difficult to play here but we must take each game as it comes.
Nolito, Benfica winger
Lineups
 | Barcelona |  | Benfica |
| 13 | Pinto (GK) | 1 | Artur (GK) |
| 5 | Puyol (C) | 4 | Luisão (C) 59 |
| 7 | Villa | 9 | Nolito43 63 |
| 11 | Thiago Alcántara | 11 | Lima74 |
| 19 | Montoya | 14 | Maxi Pereira |
| 21 | Adriano6066 | 15 | John |
| 25 | Song | 19 | Rodrigo74 |
| 28 | Sergi Roberto | 21 | Matić78 |
| 29 | Planas | 24 | Garay56 |
| 30 | Rafinha4958 | 25 | Melgarejo |
| 37 | Tello78 | 89 | André Gomes |
Substitutes | |||
| 1 | Víctor Valdés (GK) | 13 | Paulo Lopes (GK) |
| 3 | Piqué66 | 5 | Luisinho |
| 10 | Messi58 | 7 | Óscar Cardozo74 |
| 12 | Dos Santos | 8 | Bruno César63 |
| 16 | Busquets | 20 | Gaitán |
| 26 | Sergi Gómez | 33 | Jardel |
| 27 | Deulofeu78 | 34 | André Almeida74 |
Coaches | |||
| Tito Vilanova (ESP) | Jorge Jesus (POR) | ||
Referee | |||
| Svein Oddvar Moen (NOR) | |||
Standings
Group G
| P | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Barcelona | 6 | 13 |
| 2 |  Celtic | 6 | 10 |
| 3 |  Benfica | 6 | 8 |
| 4 |  Spartak Moskva | 6 | 3 |
Legend:
- P: Played
- Pts: Points
Match statistics
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Minute By Minute
- 78Deulofeu (in) - Tello (out) (Barcelona)
- 78Matić (Benfica) is cautioned by the referee.
- 74André Almeida (in) - Rodrigo (out) (Benfica)
- 74Óscar Cardozo (in) - Lima (out) (Benfica)
The Paraguayan comes on aiming to add to his record of 10 goals in 23 UEFA Champions League matches
Benfica will look back on an evening where they had a host of chances to wrap up the match and reach the knockout stages, for Barcelona though their minds will immediately focus on Lionel Messi's fitness after he was stretchered off late in the second half.