The atmosphere at Camp Nou was electric, but it took just four minutes for Copenhagen to bring a hush over the crowd. Mohamed Elyounoussi’s stylish through ball found Viktor Dadason, who finished with a steely composure past Joan Garcia, giving the visiting Danes a stunning and early lead. For a moment, the famous home support was caught in total disbelief. Barcelona responded almost instantly—Robert Lewandowski, ever the predator, nearly pounced on a Copenhagen defensive blunder. Yet Dominik Kotarski matched him with a point-blank save, and the frustration simmered.
By halftime, Barcelona found themselves not only down on the scoreboard but slipping as low as 13th in the 36-team standings, an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position for Hansi Flick’s side. The first 45 minutes were marked by impatience and near-misses, with the home side unable to crack Copenhagen’s resilience.
A second-half masterclass ignites Camp Nou
Whatever was said in Flick’s halftime talk worked wonders. Barcelona came roaring out of the break, needing just three minutes to level the terms. Dani Olmo unleashed a defense-splitting pass, slicing through the Copenhagen backline and sending Lamine Yamal sprinting forward. The Spaniard squared the ball unselfishly for Lewandowski, who coolly restored parity from close range.
The turnaround had only just begun. On the hour mark, Yamal’s lively shot ricocheted off Pantelis Hatzidiakos, surprising Kotarski and nestling into the net. This lucky bounce was more than a stroke of fortune; it was a signal of Barcelona’s rising tide.
From frustration to domination: goals rain down
Barcelona’s relentless pressure soon overwhelmed Copenhagen. When Lewandowski was bundled to the turf inside the area, Brazilian winger Raphinha took the stage—dispatching a confident penalty to put the result beyond doubt. The show wasn’t over yet. Marcus Rashford, who had been quietly menacing all evening, added exclamation to the performance with a spectacular free-kick in the 85th minute.
Some key stats underline the transformation:
- Barcelona registered 28 shots, with an impressive expected goals (xG) of 3.05.
- Copenhagen managed only six attempts, with an xG of 1.06—demonstrating how the hosts dictated the second half.
- Barcelona have now trailed at halftime in 4 of their last 5 Champions League matches—more than in their first 17 under Flick (just 3 times).
Yamal’s record-breaking night: the teenager to watch
Perhaps the evening belonged most to Lamine Yamal. Already a sensation, the 18-year-old wrote his name further into Champions League history. By assisting Lewandowski’s equalizer, Yamal reached eight Champions League assists—the highest ever for a teenager, eclipsing Kylian Mbappe’s record with Paris Saint-Germain.
Remarkably, this was also the third time he’s both scored and assisted in a Champions League match—matching, you guessed it, Mbappe’s tally as a teenager. The maturity, vision, and confidence of Yamal are hard to overstate. He’s not only Barcelona’s future but also a star for the present, capable of galvanizing the team in their most pressing moments.
With their place in the last 16 secured, Barcelona now await a blockbuster tie against one of PSG, Newcastle United, Monaco, or Qarabag. Their ability to claw back from losing positions—having now won more points from behind than any other side in this year’s competition (10)—speaks volumes about both their character and attacking depth.