A new day of the UEFA Champions League began yesterday, with some clubs, such as Barcelona, securing qualification for the round of 16 of the European competition.
The team led by Xavi Hernández defeated Porto 2-1 Montjuic Olympic Stadium for the penultimate game of Group H, in a game in which the Spanish team had to suffer to change the result and end their participation in the knockout rounds.
Despite the Catalans’ intentions of attacking at the start, they did not show much clarity in front of goal as the Portuguese team got closer and closer to Iñaki Peña’s goal.
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In the 30th minute, the Catalan team received a splash of cold water Pepe He took advantage of a rebound from the Barça goalkeeper and opened the scoring in favor of the guests with a cross shot.
However, this goal woke Barcelona up and they responded in the 32nd minute Joao Cancelothis time on the left wing, who equalized with a shot at the far post and thus ensured calm in the culé team.
Barza showed some improvement in their overall play in the second half and it didn’t take long for them to reflect this in the result. In the 56th minute, Joao Félix and Cancelo played a great move that ended with the Portuguese striker shooting towards the Porto goal and turning the score around.
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After Félix’s goal, the score remained 2-1 until the end and the Blaugranas were able to secure a place in the round of 16 of the Champions League after three years.
“Very happy and happy for the team and the club. We needed it especially after suffering the misfortune of playing in the World Cup for two years Europe League. We played a good game against a great team. We reacted well and with a winning mentality. The equalizer was very good for us and we were at a good level in the second half,” explained Xavi after the game.
With this result, Barcelona takes first place in Group H with 12 points, while Porto and Shakhtar Donetskwho compete against each other on the last day of the group stage take second and third place with 9 points each.
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City doesn’t stop winning
Although Manchester City have already qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League as league leaders, Manchester City showed their full quality with the 3-2 win against Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium.
The German team took the lead after 13 minutes, Lois Openda extended the lead for the Red Bulls after 33 minutes; However, the reigning European champions should change the course of the game in the second half.
Erling Haaland (54th minute), Phil Foden (70th) and Julián Álvarez (87th) seemed to seal the Citizens’ victory and maintain a perfect score in the current competition on the Old Continent.
Real Madrid face Napoli today
Lovers of the beautiful game can still enjoy the Champions League today with the duel between Real Madrid and Naples. The Meringues, leaders of Group C with 12 points, are motivated after regaining the top spot in the Spanish league. On the other hand, the Azzurri are in second place with 7 points and will be looking for a result that will ensure them a place in the round of 16.