Barcelona 4-1 Copenhagen: Second-half showing rockets Hansi Flick’s side beyond playoff spots
This was a strange night for Barcelona, and a very strange way to make the Champions League top eight as well.
Hansi Flick’s team have stared at the prospect of a playoff round for much of the campaign, and a very poor start at the Camp Nou against Copenhagen only seemed to make it materialise even further. An early goal by 17-year-old Viktor Dadason for the visitors meant that Barcelona were on the back foot from very early on, and as the break came and they were still behind, nerves were starting to fray.
But Lamine Yamal grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. The 18-year-old assisted Robert Lewandowski’s leveller three minutes into the second period, and then scored one himself on the hour mark to turn his team in the right direction.
Raphinha’s penalty nine minutes later gave Flick’s team the buffer, before Marcus Rashford sealed the win with an 85th minute freekick.
The victory rocketed the La Liga side to fifth in the table with 16 points, securing an automatic spot in the last 16.
