Barcelona were forced to dig deep to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in a pulsating Champions League encounter on Wednesday night, after coming from behind three times in Belgium.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was at the heart of Barcelona’s fightback, producing a brilliant performance to rescue a point for Hansi Flick’s side, who once again looked fragile at the back.
Brugge winger Carlos Forbs tormented the Catalans’ defence, scoring twice and setting up another for Nicolo Tresoldi in a night to remember for the Belgian hosts.
Goals from Ferran Torres, Yamal, and an own goal from Christos Tzolis ensured Barcelona avoided a damaging defeat despite their injury woes and erratic form.
Having lost to Real Madrid in the recent El Clásico, Barcelona’s defensive frailties were once again exposed early on at the Jan Breydel Stadium, as Forbs teed up Tresoldi for the opener.
The hosts repeatedly exploited Barca’s high line, causing panic at the back.
Torres quickly restored parity with a composed finish after a clever pass from Fermin Lopez, but Forbs soon struck again, combining neatly with Tzolis before finishing past Wojciech Szczesny to make it 2-1.
Barca went close through Jules Kounde and Lopez, both denied by the woodwork, before Yamal began to inspire a turnaround.
The 17-year-old linked up beautifully with Lopez, collecting his backheel and slotting home a classy equaliser.
Forbs wasn’t done, though. After missing one golden opportunity, the Portuguese winger grabbed his second of the night with a deft chip over Szczesny to restore Brugge’s lead at 3-2.
The home side thought they had a chance to extend their advantage when Forbs went down in the box under a challenge from Alejandro Balde, but VAR overturned the penalty, showing minimal contact.
Barcelona kept pushing, and their persistence paid off late on. Yamal’s curling strike from the right took a deflection off Tzolis and looped beyond goalkeeper Nordin Jackers for 3-3.
There was late drama when Brugge’s Romeo Vermant thought he had snatched victory after dispossessing Szczesny and scoring into an empty net, but VAR intervened again, ruling the goal out for a foul on the keeper.
It was a thrilling contest that left Barcelona relieved but still searching for defensive stability, while Brugge proved they could compete toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
