Barcelona 5-0 Antwerp - Joao Felix stars, Robert Lewandowski reaches milestone in emphatic win for Catalans
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Updated 19/09/2023 at 23:08 GMT
Joao Felix gave another demonstration that he might be getting back to his best as he put in another stellar performance that saw him score twice and assist another as Barcelona hammered Antwerp 5-0 in their first UEFA Champions League game of the season. Also on the scoresheet was Robert Lewandowski who reached the milestone of 100 goals in UEFA competitions as he finished off a fine team move.
Barcelona's Portuguese forward #14 Joao Felix celebrates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 1 Group H football match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelon
Image credit: Getty Images
Joao Felix grabbed a brace and Robert Lewandowski netted his 100th goal in European club competition as Barcelona kicked off their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign with a rampant 5-0 victory at home to Royal Antwerp.
The Catalan giants were a class apart for the whole contest and struck three times inside the opening 22 minutes to leave the Belgian outfit already contemplating damage limitation.
It was the impressive Joao Felix who opened the scoring on 11 minutes when he jinked in from the left side of the area to rifle home a low strike and mark his Barca debut in the competition in style.
The Portuguese forward then turned provider eight minutes later when he bamboozled his marker and crossed for Lewandowski to notch a century of goals across UEFA club competitions.
At this point Barcelona’s attacking verve was relentless and they duly added a third when Jelle Bataille was unfortunate to deflect Raphinha’s cross into his own net.
The pattern continued following the interval with Gabi rifling high into the net for his first goal in the competition before Joao Felix capped a virtuoso showing with his second of the night via a back post header on 66 minutes.
The result sees Barcelona top Group H ahead of FC Porto - who won at Shakhtar Donetsk - on goal difference.
Barcelona will now turn their attention back to La Liga before travelling to FC Porto on Matchday 2 while Antwerp host Shakhtar Donetsk.
Talking Point
Five-star Barca hit five again as Antwerp's big night ends in dismay.
This was Royal Antwerp’s first match back at Europe’s top table in 65 years – and it showed. The Belgian minnows were torn to shreds but will at least take some solace that things can only get better as this was probably their toughest Group H assignment on paper.
As for Barcelona, Xavi’s men looked sharp with the burgeoning relationship between Joao Felix and Robert Lewandowski giving supporters real reason for optimism. The club now look to have some significant firepower once again and Xavi has done a fine job in putting together a squad that looks capable of challenging on all fronts.
The Blaugrana have failed to get out of the group stage in the past two seasons but will be quietly confident of navigating this pool on this occasion, with FC Porto offering their only realistic threat.
Player of the match
Joao Felix (Barcelona). The 23-year-old did not quite find a home at Atletico Madrid or Chelsea but may well have done so with the Catalan giants. He looks revitalised, following up his goal against Betis and on international duty with Portugal, with another two here and a lovely assist to mark a superb overall display.
Player Ratings
BARCELONA: ter Stegen 7, Cancelo 7, Kounde 7, Christensen 7, Balde 7, Gundogan 8, De Jong 8, Gavi 8, Raphinha 8, Lewandowski 8, Joao Felix 9. Subs: Lopez 6, Romeu 7, Torres 6, Lamine Yamal 6, Sergi Roberto 6.
ANTWERP: Butez 7, Bataille 6, Alderweireld 6, Coulibaly 6, Wijndal 6, Keita 6, Vermeeren 6, Muja 6, Ekkelenkamp 6, Balikwisha 5, Janssen 5. Subs: Yusuf 6, De Laet 6, Ilenikhena 6, Kerk 6, Valencia n/a.
Match Highlights
11’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 1-0 Antwerp. A flowing Barca move ends with Joao Felix cutting inside on the left of the area and flashing a low shot beyond Jean Butez.
19’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 2-0 Antwerp. Lewandowski steers home at the far post after bewitching feet and a lovely cross from Joao Felix on the left side of the area.
23’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 3-0 Antwerp. Raphinha's left-wing cross clips the arm of Jelle Bataille and flies beyond the keeper and in off the far post. That’s a really unfortunate own goal!
54’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 4-0 Antwerp. Gavi rifles a shot high into the top corner after Antwerp failed to clear their lines following another dangerous Barca attack.
66’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 5-0 Antwerp. Joao Felix at the double! The forward heads home Raphinha's sumptuous cross at the far post.
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Key Stats
- At 35 years and 29 days, Robert Lewandowski has become the oldest player to score for Barcelona in the Champions League surpassing Gerard Piqué against Dynamo Kyiv in 2021 (34 years and 260 days).
- João Félix is only the second player to be involved in three goals (2 goals and 1 assist) in his debut for Barca in the Champions League since at least 2003/04, after Robert Lewandowski in 2022 (3 goals v Viktoria Plzen).
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