Before last night, Newcastle United target Rafa Silva had only scored once in the Champions League, an injury time consolation goal in a 2-1 group stage defeat to PAOK.
But the stage – and setting – for his second in Europe’s premier club competition could hardly have been different.
After Joao Mario and Roman Yaremchuk bisected the Barcelona defence with a blink-and-you’ll-miss it one-two, Rafa turned what would have been the simplest of tap-ins into a goal of replay-spamming, awe-striking audacity.
There was no need for the Portugal international to flick the ball impudently into the top corner with the outside of his right boot. A simple stab into an empty net would have sufficed.
But that’s what Rafa Silva is – a showman, a natural-born thespian taking centre stage as a bullish, brilliant Benfica darkened Ronald Koeman’s already charcoal-black mood with a 3-0 win that will go down in history.
“It feels very good,” Silva told O Jogo, refusing to get carried away by one of Benfica’s greatest European triumphs ahead of a daunting double-header with an irrepressible Bayern Munich.
“I don’t think it was the biggest test. It was just another game we wanted to win, as it is in all games. It was just to demonstrate what we have been and what we will continue to be.”
Rafa Silva shows Newcastle United what they’re missing
With ruthless Rafa in such sparkling form – his goal last night was his fifth in 12 games this season – don’t discount another blockbusting Benfica victory against a Bayern side whose high, often suicidal defensive line will have the likes of Silva, Yaremchuk and the outstanding Darwin Nunez licking their lips.
And to think Rafa Silva could have been preparing for what already feels like a Premier League six-pointer against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend rather than basking in the glow of a Barca battering.
According to The Mirror (27 July, page 6), Newcastle United made the £22 million winger their top transfer target in the summer at a time when Joe Willock’s return looked as unlikely as a Steve Bruce statue outside St James’ Park.
But the Toon move came to naught. As for Silva, it goes without saying taking on Barcelona and Bayern with the Champions League anthem ringing in your ears takes some beating.
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