Felix scores twice as Barca demolish Antwerp

7 months ago 70

Robert Lewandowski scores against Royal Antwerp

Robert Lewandowski scored his 92nd Champions League goal to put Barcelona 2-0 up against Royal Antwerp

Barcelona coasted to victory in their opening Champions League game with a comfortable win over Royal Antwerp.

Xavi's side were three goals ahead after just 23 minutes thanks to strikes from Joao Felix and Robert Lewandowski, plus an own goal from Jelle Bataille.

Gavi added a fourth before Felix got his second after the break to give Barca's campaign the perfect start.

The La Liga champions were eliminated in the group stage of their last two Champions League campaigns.

Antwerp, who won the Belgian title last season to reach the Champions League for the first time, were unable to match the home side's passing and finishing.

Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015 but here produced football reminiscent of those glory days, albeit against limited opponents.

The opening goal certainly reminded of the days when Xavi roamed the Barca midfield with Marc van Bommel as his accompanying enforcer. For this game, they were instead in opposing dugouts - van Bommel as Antwerp manager, Xavi in charge of Barca.

In 2023, it is Ilkay Gundogan who Barca look to as their midfield creator. On 11 minutes, he exchanged passes with Lewandowski before sliding in Felix, the former Chelsea loanee firing home at the near post.

The lead was doubled eight minutes later following a superb raking ball by Frenkie De Jong to Felix in the area on the left, the man on loan from Atletico Madrid clipped in a cross for Lewandowski to volley home from six yards.

Antwerp were unfortunate to concede a third as their Champions League debut turned into a nightmare. Alejandro Balde's cross clipped off right back Jelle Bataille and spiralled agonisingly over goalkeeper Jean Butez and in off the far post.

Barca were passing the ball around their midfield at will and seemingly scoring when they wanted, Gavi smashing into the roof of the net on 54 minutes for his first ever Champions League goal.

The scoring was appropriately concluded by the electric Felix, although his second was all about the left-footed cross by Raphinha.

The former Leeds man cut back on the right wing before sending over an undefendable ball which Felix nodded home at the far post.

Player of the match

João FélixJoão Félix

with an average of 8.40

Barcelona

Squad number14Player nameJoão Félix

Squad number9Player nameLewandowski

Squad number11Player nameRaphinha

Squad number22Player nameGündogan

Squad number6Player nameGavi

Squad number2Player nameJoão Cancelo

Squad number21Player nameF de Jong

Squad number3Player nameBalde

Squad number1Player nameter Stegen

Squad number18Player nameOriol Romeu

Squad number27Player nameYamal

Squad number15Player nameChristensen

Squad number23Player nameKoundé

Squad number20Player nameRoberto

Squad number7Player nameF Torres

Squad number32Player nameLópez

Royal Antwerp

Squad number18Player nameJanssen

Squad number23Player nameAlderweireld

Squad number8Player nameYusuf

Squad number2Player nameDe Laet

Squad number44Player nameCoulibaly

Squad number10Player nameBalikwisha

Squad number27Player nameKeita

Squad number1Player nameButez

Squad number5Player nameWijndal

Squad number11Player nameMuja

Squad number9Player nameIlenikhena

Squad number24Player nameEkkelenkamp

Squad number55Player nameValencia

Squad number34Player nameBataille

Squad number48Player nameVermeeren

Squad number7Player nameKerk

Line-ups

Barcelona

Formation 4-3-3

1ter Stegen2CanceloSubstituted forRobertoat 76'minutes23Koundé15Christensen3Balde22Gündogan21F de JongSubstituted forRomeuat 58'minutes6GaviBooked at 36minsSubstituted forLópezat 58'minutes11RaphinhaSubstituted forF Torresat 68'minutes9Lewandowski14João FélixSubstituted forYamalat 68'minutes

Substitutes

5Martínez7F Torres13Peña Sotorres17Alonso18Romeu20Roberto26Astralaga27Yamal30Casadó32López

Royal Antwerp

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Butez34BatailleSubstituted forKerkat 74'minutes23Alderweireld44Coulibaly5Wijndal48Vermeeren27Keita11MujaSubstituted forValenciaat 83'minutes24EkkelenkampSubstituted forYusufat 61'minutes10BalikwishaSubstituted forDe Laetat 61'minutes18JanssenSubstituted forIlenikhenaat 60'minutes

Substitutes

2De Laet7Kerk8Yusuf9Ilenikhena19Ejuke26De Wolf33Van Den Bosch55Valencia91Lammens

Referee:Radu Marian Petrescu

Live Text

Match ends, Barcelona 5, Royal Antwerp 0.

Second Half ends, Barcelona 5, Royal Antwerp 0.

Attempt missed. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Jules Koundé.

Attempt saved. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ferran Torres.

Foul by Ilkay Gündogan (Barcelona).

Mandela Keita (Royal Antwerp) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt missed. George Ilenikhena (Royal Antwerp) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ritchie De Laet with a cross.

Foul by Oriol Romeu (Barcelona).

Ritchie De Laet (Royal Antwerp) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Fermín López (Barcelona).

George Ilenikhena (Royal Antwerp) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Owen Wijndal.

Substitution, Royal Antwerp. Anthony Valencia replaces Arbnor Muja.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Soumaïla Coulibaly (Royal Antwerp).

Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Toby Alderweireld.

Attempt saved. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Attempt blocked. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Attempt blocked. Andreas Christensen (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.