Match ends, Barcelona 3, Napoli 1.
Barcelona have reached the Champions League quarter-finals with an entertaining victory over Napoli.
Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo put Barca on their way, but the hosts were made to work hard by the Italians who pulled one back through Amir Rrahmani.
A back-and-forth encounter was eventually settled by Robert Lewandowski’s close-range finish with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
It means Barcelona are into the last eight for the first time since 2020.
Following an brisk opening, Barcelona landed a mighty one-two punch on Napoli with two goals in three minutes.
First, 20 year-old midfielder Lopez took his chance to impress on the big stage as he stroked home a side-footed finish on 15 minutes after Lewandowski dummied Raphinha’s low cross.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha was also at the centre of Barcelona’s second, leading a counter-attack and curling a shot off the post before Manchester City loanee Cancelo scored from the rebound.
Barcelona however ceded momentum, and Napoli pulled one back on the half hour when Kosovan centre-back Rrahmani ventured forward to slot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen following a cutback from the right.
Napoli pushed hard for an equaliser, and missed their best chance with 10 minutes remaining as Jesper Lindstrom sent a free header wide from seven yards.
But they eventually came up short as Barcelona sealed a win for the first time in five Champions League knockout matches when Lewandowski tapped home after being set up by slick play from Sergi Roberto.
More follows.
Line-ups
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 1ter Stegen
- 23Koundé
- 4Araujo
- 33Cubarsí
- 2Cancelo
- 32LópezSubstituted forRobertoat 60′minutes
- 15ChristensenBooked at 19minsSubstituted forRomeuat 61′minutes
- 22Gündogan
- 27YamalBooked at 44mins
- 9Lewandowski
- 11RaphinhaSubstituted forJoão Félixat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Martínez
- 13Peña Sotorres
- 14João Félix
- 18Romeu
- 19Roque Ferreira
- 20Roberto
- 26Astralaga
- 30Casadó
- 35Hernández
- 38Guiu
- 39Fort
Napoli
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Meret
- 22Di Lorenzo
- 13Rrahmani
- 5Nunes JesusBooked at 45mins
- 6Mário RuiSubstituted forOliveraat 64′minutesBooked at 67mins
- 99Anguissa
- 68Lobotka
- 8TraorèBooked at 63minsSubstituted forRaspadoriat 78′minutes
- 21PolitanoSubstituted forLindstrømat 64′minutes
- 9Osimhen
- 77KvaratskheliaSubstituted forNgongeat 90+3′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Bernardo de Souza
- 14Contini
- 17Olivera
- 18Simeone
- 24Cajuste
- 26Ngonge
- 29Lindstrøm
- 30Mazzocchi
- 55Østigård
- 81Raspadori
- 95Gollini
Live Text
-
-
Second Half ends, Barcelona 3, Napoli 1.
-
Attempt missed. Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Frank Anguissa.
-
Attempt saved. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan.
-
Substitution, Napoli. Cyril Ngonge replaces Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
-
Attempt missed. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
-
Mathías Olivera (Napoli) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
-
Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Foul by Sergi Roberto (Barcelona).
-
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Victor Osimhen.
-
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
-
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Amir Rrahmani.
-
Foul by Mathías Olivera (Napoli).
-
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the right wing.
-
Goal! Barcelona 3, Napoli 1. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Sergi Roberto.
-
Foul by Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli).
-
Ilkay Gündogan (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
-
Substitution, Barcelona. João Félix replaces Raphinha.
-
Attempt missed. Jesper Lindstrøm (Napoli) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mathías Olivera with a cross.
-
Substitution, Napoli. Giacomo Raspadori replaces Hamed Traorè.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Napoli
-
Squad number1Player nameMeret
-
Squad number22Player nameDi Lorenzo
-
Squad number13Player nameRrahmani
-
Squad number5Player nameJuan Jesus
-
Squad number6Player nameMário Rui
-
Squad number99Player nameAnguissa
-
Squad number68Player nameLobotka
-
Squad number8Player nameTraorè
-
Squad number21Player namePolitano
-
Squad number9Player nameOsimhen
-
Squad number77Player nameKvaratskhelia
-
Squad number17Player nameOlivera
-
Squad number26Player nameNgonge
-
Squad number29Player nameLindstrøm
-
Squad number81Player nameRaspadori
Welcome to Triple Star News! I am your Editor, your go-to source for staying informed and up to date on a wide array of themes and topics. My dedicated team of journalists and reporters works tirelessly to bring you timely and comprehensive news coverage that caters to your diverse interests and curiosities. From current events and politics to technology, entertainment, health, and beyond, I’ve got you covered. I pride myself on delivering information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner, accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Join me on Triple Star News and embark on a journey of discovery, staying informed, and expanding your horizons. Let the world unfold before your eyes.
