Published September 20,2023
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Barcelona’s new ahead Joao Felix struck twice in a 5-0 demolition of visiting Royal Antwerp of their Champions League Group H opener on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday.
After successive group stage eliminations, Barca gave debutants Antwerp a soccer masterclass, dominating possession with fast passing as Felix, Lewandowski and Gavi all scored.
Last-minute signing Felix opened the scoring with the house facet’s first try within the eleventh minute, netting with a low strike contained in the close to submit.
The Portuguese then arrange Robert Lewandowski contained in the field to double their lead eight minutes later because the Poland striker turned the third participant to attain 100 targets in European competitors after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Raphinha helped make it 3-0 to the five-time European champions after 22 minutes when his strike from a decent angle deflected off defender Jelle Bataille for an personal aim.
Winger Arbnor Muja had an opportunity to present the guests a glimmer of hope simply earlier than halftime however his low effort from the sting of the field was stored out by goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen.
Xavi Hernandez’s Barca returned after the break decided to extend the benefit of their twenty eighth Champions League group stage marketing campaign, a contest file shared with Real Madrid.
They didn’t have to attend lengthy as Gavi made it 4-0 by smashing the ball into the roof of the web earlier than Felix added one other aim with a header to finish the rout at Barca’s non permanent dwelling whereas Camp Nou is being redeveloped.
Barca’s dominance was mirrored in 22 aim makes an attempt in comparison with solely three from Antwerp, who have been enjoying within the Champions League after successful their home league title for the primary time in additional than 60 years final season.
It is the Belgian facet’s fifth successive marketing campaign in Europe and their second within the continent’s main membership competitors after they featured within the European Cup within the 1957-58 season.
In the opposite Group H conflict, Porto beat Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in Hamburg.
Source: www.anews.com.tr