Barcelona secure direct Champions League last-16 qualification after a 4-1 comeback win over FC Copenhagen
BARCELONA secured direct qualification for the Champions League last 16 with a commanding 4-1 comeback victory over FC Copenhagen.
The Spanish champions, needing a win to be sure of a top-eight league phase finish, fell behind to an early goal from teenager Viktor Dadason.
Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha scored in the second half to turn the game around before substitute Marcus Rashford added a late fourth.
“We all came here tonight thinking of finishing in the top eight, we’re very happy with the win,” Yamal told Movistar.
Barca coach Hansi Flick admitted he was unhappy with his team’s first-half performance.
“I was not happy with the first half, but in the end, I think everyone — the fans, also the team — is very happy,” said the German.
Copenhagen took a shock lead in the fourth minute after Jules Kounde’s slack pass was intercepted.
Dadason ran through and fired past goalkeeper Joan Garcia to stun the Camp Nou.
Barca created chances to equalise but were denied by Copenhagen stopper Dominik Kotarski, who saved from Lewandowski and Eric Garcia.
The defender later saw a long-range effort crash against the crossbar.
Lewandowski made amends three minutes after the break, finishing from close range after a fine move involving Dani Olmo and Yamal.
The teenage winger then put Barcelona ahead on the hour with a deflected effort from the edge of the box.
Barca made the game safe when Raphinha converted a controversial penalty won by Lewandowski.
Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, wrapped up the triumph with a free-kick that slipped past Kotarski.
“It’s amazing to have him,” Flick said of the England international.
Rashford said his aim was to help expand Barcelona’s goal difference.
“We didn’t know how many goals we have to score, so whatever goal we can take, we get,” he told Barca One.
Copenhagen, who had a late Gabriel Pereira goal disallowed for offside, finished 31st and were eliminated.
Barcelona fans celebrated further when they learned rivals Real Madrid conceded a late goal against Benfica and would not finish in the top eight.
