Barcelona, who had advanced to the Champions League knockout stage, was defeated in a thrilling 3-2 loss to Royal Antwerp in Belgium to end Group H play. The youth in question was reportedly trying out for the team.
Not more than a minute into the game, Barcelona gave away a terrible goal thanks to Xavi’s mostly bench lineup. Goalie Inaki Pena committed a possession error that was well punished by 18-year-old Arthur Vermeeren, who has recently been linked to a move to Barcelona.
Royal Antwerp put up a strong fight for the whole of the first half, but after a brilliant counterattack by young academy star Lamine Yamal and concluded by Ferran Torres, Barcelona was able to pull away. But immediately after the interval, Oriol Romeu’s carelessness in possession would cost the Catalan team again, as Vincent Janssen scored the second goal for the home team at 56 minutes.
After the half, Barcelona tried to equalize again, but Mark van Bommel’s team stood their ground, taking the punches and hitting back at their opponents with equal vigor.
That was accurate as stoppage time approached, as Marc Guiu’s goal in the 91st minute only tied the score for two minutes, and the Belgian hosts won shortly after playing restarted thanks to a goal from 17-year-old George Ilenikhena.
It seems odd to say today, but the first goal seemed like it was coming for a while. After some incredible one-touch play between Gündogan and Lewandowski, Félix fired low past Butez, and the floodgates were officially opened.
After then, Barça took control of the game and scored two more goals quickly after Lewandowski’s deflection of Félix’s cross and the unlucky Bataille’s deflection of Raphina’s cross.
From then on, Antwerp’s strategy was damage restriction, which they met halfway through. However, Gavi scored a rebound nine minutes into the second half to somewhat improve the score. Félix completed the scoring for Barça, however, with a back-post header from a different Raphinha cross.
Although teenage wonder Lamine Yamal trying his hardest to get in on the action and Lewandowski missing a few good chances as Antwerp made a late push, the Portuguese star went off and the goals dried up. Xavi’s team has won five straight games, and their Champions League campaign is off to an ideal start.
