Barcelona vs. Royal Antwerp: 5-0
Barcelona opened its run in the 2023/2024 Champions League with a victory. "Barcelona vs. Royal Antwerp: 5-0". Barca won easily over the Belgian club, Royal Antwerp.
Barcelona host Antwerp at the Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium. Joao Felix scored a pair of goals for Barcelona, while the other three came from Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and an own goal.
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| Robert Lewandowski was on target for FC Barcelona in their 5-0 La Liga victory over Real Betis at the weekend. (Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty Images) |
This victory moved Barcelona to the top of Group H standings with three points. Antwerp is the bottom without numbers.
The course of the match "Barcelona vs. Royal Antwerp"
Antwerp controlled the ball in the early minutes. However, Barcelona gradually took control of the game.
GOAL! Joao Felix opened Barcelona's lead in the 11th minute. Robert Lewandowski's partnership with Ilkay Guendogan ended with a pass into the penalty area.
Joao Felix once controlled and then fired a flat right-footed shot that went through the Antwerp goal. Barcelona led 1-0.
Also, read: Inter Milan vs. AC Milan: 5-1.
Barcelona did not take long to expand its lead. Just eight minutes later, Lewandowski scored the home team's second goal.
Frenkie de Jong sent a sweet pass which Joao Felix received. The latter player released a crossing for Lewandowski to finish with a tap from near the post. Barça 2, Antwerp 0.
Barcelona were already 3-0 up in 22 minutes. Jelle Bataille scored an own goal after Raphinha's crossing ball hit his body and went into the Antwerp goal.
Antwerp can finally trouble Barcelona. Ahead of halftime, Arbnor Muja fired a shot from outside the penalty area even though Ter Stegen was still quick to secure the ball.
Barcelona responded with Alejandro Balde's strike on the left side of the penalty area. The ball only nestled on the outside of the Antwerp net so the score was 3-0 for Barcelona's lead to last until half-time.
Less than 10 minutes after the second-half kickoff, Barcelona scored its fourth goal. Gavi etched his name on the scoreboard and made it 4-0.
Attack from the right wing, the ball bounced in several directions in the penalty area and then fell in the path of Gavi. The Barcelona youngster followed up with a fierce strike towards the top side of Antwerp's net.
After an hour, Joao Felix created his second goal and changed the score to 5-0 for Barcelona. Raphinha sent a cross from the right side to the far post, which Felix finished with a close-range header.
Next Ter Stegen made two consecutive saves. Lamine Yamal twice wasted valuable opportunities to add to Barcelona's score.
Lewandowski twice terrorized Antwerp's defense. Jean Butez made a save to prevent Antwerp from conceding the sixth goal.
"Barcelona vs. Royal Antwerp" line-up
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Cancelo (Sergi Roberto 76'), Kounde, Christensen, Balde, Guendogan, De Jong (Romeu 58'), Gavi (Fermin Lopez 58'), Raphinha (Ferran Torres 68'), Lewandowski, Joao Felix (Lamine Yamal 68')
ROYAL ANTWERP: Jean Butez, Bataille, Alderweireld, Coulibaly, Winjdal, Vermeeren, Mandela Keita, Arbnor Muja, Ekkelenkamp (Joseph 61', Balikwisha (De Laet 61'), Janssen (Ilenikhena 60')