Barcelona overcame a shock early setback to thrash Copenhagen 4-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, clinching a top-eight finish and direct entry into the Champions League last 16.
Seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal starred alongside Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford as the Catalans bounced back from a first-half scare.
Despite falling behind to a fourth-minute strike from Copenhagen’s Viktor Dadason, Barcelona turned the match on its head after the interval.
Yamal set up Lewandowski to equalise in the 48th minute before scoring himself with a deflected effort in the 60th. Raphinha converted a penalty following a foul on Lewandowski, and Rashford sealed the emphatic win with a free-kick goal in the 85th minute.
“We came here thinking about finishing in the top eight, and we’re very happy with the result,” said 18-year-old Yamal to Movistar Plus. “Conceding first in the Champions League makes it very difficult, but the team showed resilience and turned the game around. Fewer matches give us an extra boost for the season ahead.”
Barcelona had struggled in the opening 45 minutes, with Copenhagen taking advantage of a high defensive line. Dadason’s early goal, set up by Mohamed Elyounoussi, stunned the home fans.
The hosts were wasteful in attack, with Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Eric Garcia all spurning opportunities before the crossbar denied Garcia in the 33rd minute.
The second half saw a complete transformation. Yamal’s quick counter led to Lewandowski’s equaliser, and Barcelona dominated thereafter, pressing Copenhagen deep in their own half. Yamal’s goal gave them the lead, followed by Raphinha’s penalty and Rashford’s late free-kick strike.
While Barcelona’s attacking prowess was evident, defensive frailties remain a concern.
The team finished the group stage without a single clean sheet and conceded more goals than any of the other top 13 sides in the competition.
