Felix Hits Double As Barca Thrash Antwerp
Sumaira FH Published September 20, 2023 | 02:40 AM
Barcelona, Sept 19 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :Joao Felix struck twice as Barcelona flexed their muscles with a crushing 5-0 win over Royal Antwerp in the Champions League on Tuesday, showing their determination to be considered among Europe's elite once again.
After consecutive humiliating group stage eliminations, Barcelona is desperate to go deep in this season's competition, last winning it eight years ago.
Felix shone for the Spanish champions on a stroll on a warm night in the Catalan capital, helped on their way by an own goal, with Robert Lewandowski and Gavi also scoring.
"Joao Felix has a lot of quality, a lot of talent and he's showing it," Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar.
"I hope he can keep going like this, if he keeps working like now, he will give a lot to us." Barcelona's 2015 triumph was the last in a run of four victories over a golden decade in the club's history, during which current coach Xavi Hernandez was a key figure in midfield.
Xavi said those feats weighed heavy on the club now, that the current team was under "brutal" pressure to succeed in Europe.
It did not show against Antwerp, with Barcelona brushing aside Marc van Bommel's Belgian title-winners with ease in their first Champions League appearance at the Olympic Stadium.
With Felix and Joao Cancelo joining on loan at the end of the summer transfer window, Barcelona immediately appear a more dynamic side, with supreme creative quality in the final third reflected in successive five-goal wins.
- Lewandowski century - Felix opened the scoring for Barca after 11 minutes with a fine drilled finish after a neat passing move ended with Ilkay Gundogan feeding him.
Lewandowski added the second eight minutes later from close range after De Jong's superb ball found Felix, who crossed to the back post. It was the veteran Polish striker's 100th European goal.
Barcelona went three goals up inside 22 minutes when Raphinha's cross was deflected into his own net by Jelle Bataille.
Gavi added the fourth early in the second half with a blistering strike into the top corner after a long spell of Barcelona possession.
Raphinha created Barcelona's fifth with a vicious cross to the back post where Felix nodded home as the hosts kept up the pressure.
Xavi brought on 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal to become the second youngest player of all time in the competition's history.
The Spain winger almost became the youngest scorer too but hit the side netting after skipping around Antwerp goalkeeper Jean Butez.
Tougher challenges lie ahead, including a visit to Porto in their next European game at the start of October, but Barcelona's self-esteem is higher than at any point since Lionel Messi left in 2021.
Xavi said Barcelona's aim was to make it through the group first before worrying about bigger challenges, and this was a confident first step.
"We have a very good squad with a lot of players with a lot of talent," added De Jong.
"If we work well and do what we need to do, we can fight for a lot of things."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
14 hours ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
2 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
4 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
4 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
6 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
7 days ago
-
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
7 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
7 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
9 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
9 days ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
11 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
13 days ago