Barcelona beats Slavia Prague as Champions League top-eight race intensifies

0Shares

MADRID — FC Barcelona kept its Champions League top-eight hopes alive with a 4-2 win over Slavia Prague on Wednesday. The victory keeps Barcelona among eight teams on 13 points, making next week’s final round decisive for playoff qualification.

Barcelona’s match was a rollercoaster. Slavia took the lead in the 10th minute through Vasil Kusej, but Fermin Lopez responded with goals in the 34th and 42nd minutes. Robert Lewandowski’s own goal before halftime made it 2-2, but second-half strikes from Dani Olmo and Lewandowski sealed the win, though Pedri suffered a hamstring injury.

FC Barcelona players celebrate against Slavia Prague. [photo credit: FC Barcelona Instagram]
FC Barcelona players celebrate against Slavia Prague. [photo credit: FC Barcelona Instagram]

Other decisive results

Liverpool strengthened their playoff chances with a 3-0 away win over Olympique de Marseille. Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick opened the scoring, an own goal by Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli doubled the lead, and Cody Gakpo added a stoppage-time third.

Bayern Munich defeated Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0, with Harry Kane scoring twice. Kim Min-jae was sent off, and Kane later hit the crossbar with a penalty. Juventus secured a 2-0 home win over Benfica with second-half goals from Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie. Newcastle United moved closer to a top-eight finish with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, while Chelsea claimed eighth place after Moises Caicedo’s lone goal against Pafos.

Elsewhere, Atalanta edged Athletic Bilbao 3-2, Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Galatasaray, and Qarabag came from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2. The results set up a thrilling final round next week as clubs fight for playoff spots.

Related Posts
Coors Light launches campaign to include ‘Iceman’ into NFL Hall of Fame
Tom 'Iceman' Flores [YouTube screen capture]

Tom "The Iceman" Flores is a four-time pro-football champion and a trailblazing coach, but he has yet to receive his Read more

Related Post:  Villarreal tighten grip on third with home win as La Liga race intensifies
LOOK: Fairplay For All’s Payatas F.C. turns to teqball to stay fit amid pandemic

One of the challenges for athletes, both amateurs and professionals, amid the on-going pandemic is to stay fit in spite Read more

Football: ‘More competitive’ PFL to kick off July 2021; Copa Paulino Alcantara postponed

The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways has decided on a July 17, 2021 kickoff for its Read more

China deflate Azkals, 2-0 in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

A strong second half enabled China to beat the Philippine Azkals, 2-0 Monday (Tuesday Manila time) in the 2022 FIFA Read more

0Shares

Leave a Reply