BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Barcelona as they demolished Young Boys 5-0 in a one-sided Champions League clash on Tuesday.
The Catalan giants, five-time winners, made amends for their defeat by Monaco in their first match by thumping their Swiss visitors.
Raphinha and Inigo Martinez strikes as well as an own goal helped Hansi Flick’s side secure a sizeable victory and boost their goal difference significantly.
Barca coach Flick rolled out arguably his strongest available team after the loss at Monaco, despite the Swiss side’s struggles.
Young Boys are in the relegation zone of their domestic league with just one win in eight games and were thrashed at home by Aston Villa on their European debut this season.
It took Barcelona just eight minutes to move ahead, with Lewandowski applying a poacher’s finish to Raphinha’s cross-shot.
Jules Kounde hammered over and Ferran Torres had a shot saved as Barcelona dominated, but Young Boys carved out a first opening after 30 minutes when Ebrima Colley pulled an effort wide.
Raphinha, enjoying a strong start to the campaign, doubled Barcelona’s lead from close range after Pedri’s shot was blocked but the ball ricocheted to his feet.
Center-back Martinez headed home Barca’s third from Pedri’s free-kick shortly afterwards as the Catalans overran their ragged visitors.
Torres wasted a fine chance for the fourth when he fired straight at Young Boys goalkeeper Marvin Keller when well placed to score.
Lewandowski netted his second with a close-range header after Martinez had nodded Lamine Yamal’s corner back across the face of goal as Barcelona began the second half just how they finished the first.
It was the 36-year-old’s ninth goal in 10 games this season as he enjoys a revival under his former Bayern Munich coach Flick.
Young Boys winger Joel Monteiro struck the crossbar but that was as close as the visitors came to joy in Catalonia.
Barcelona fans were pleased to see Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong come on as a substitute for his first appearance since an ankle injury in April as the game petered toward a close.
Mohamed Camara deflected Alejandro Balde’s cross into his own goal for Barcelona’s fifth in the 81st minute.
Home supporters chanted the name of former Barca midfield icon Andres Iniesta, after reports the Spanish 2010 World Cup winner will announce his retirement next week.
Monteiro had a late goal ruled out for offside and Inaki Pena made a smart save at his near post late on, with Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny watching on from the presidential box.
Barcelona are poised to sign the former Juventus and Arsenal stopper to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Lewandowski hits brace as Barca crush Young Boys
https://arab.news/z8xh6
Lewandowski hits brace as Barca crush Young Boys
Toney penalty leads Al-Ahli to victory in final moments of Saudi Pro League’s Matchday 15
- Al-Ahli defeat Al-Taawoun 2-1 thanks to Ivan Toney penalty in the 14th minute of injury time
- Al-Shabab end 11-game run without a win after comeback against NEOM
RIYADH: The battle for second place in the Saudi Pro League heated up on the final day of Matchday 15 when the Al-Inma Stadium played host to a tense encounter between Al-Ahli and Al-Taawoun. The hosts, boasting the best defence in the league, came up against a visiting side brimming with confidence after a stellar start to the season under the returning Péricles Chamusca at the helm.
Getting past Al-Taawoun would be no easy feat. The Qassim-based side came into the game well-prepared, with Al-Ahli failing to break past their compact block. The trio of Andrei Girotto, Waleed Al-Ahmed and Muteb Al-Mufarrij proved tough opposition for Ivan Toney in particular.
All signs pointed to a draw as the half-time whistle approached. Roger Martínez had different ideas in stoppage time, as he fended off Roger Ibañez to win the ball in the right channel, squared the ball to Ângelo Fulgini who was brought down by Merih Demiral for a penalty. Martínez coolly finished past Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi, as the Wolves went into the break with the narrow lead.
Al-Ahli, backed by their passionate fans, entered the second half with renewed vigour. With Riyad Mahrez back in SPL action after Algeria’s elimination from AFCON, his creative prowess between the lines gave his side an added impetus.
It would be Wenderson Galeno who played an imperative role in their first goal. In the 62nd minute, he spotted Toney making a run in space behind the full-back, launching a cross that marginally escaped a clearance from Al-Mufarrij, as the Englishman delivered an accurate follow-up to Zakaria Hawsawi to head in the equaliser.
Both sides knew that a draw was not enough. Al-Taawoun would still move into second place with a point, albeit with all of Al-Nassr, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli breathing down their necks.
Al-Ahli, meanwhile, needed a win after Al-Qadsiah’s dominant display earlier in the evening. Despite numerous attempts, the score remained even.
In the 82nd minute, a dangerous challenge on Martínez by Ibañez saw the defender sent off for the second time in three games. After getting a yellow card earlier in the half, the referee showed no hesitation in giving him his marching orders.
Drama ensued in the final moments of the game when Demiral was brought down in the Al-Taawoun box. After a tense wait for the VAR review, referee Mohammed Hoish ultimately decided on a penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage time to the delight of the home fans.
Toney, as per usual, converted with confidence as Al-Ahli saw out a 2-1 victory to move level on points with Al-Taawoun and Al-Nassr in second place.
Elsewhere, Al-Qadsiah produced a perfect performance in their home game against Al-Fayha, winning 5-0, with Julián Quiñones bagging a hat-trick. Brendan Rodgers’ side now sit in fifth place with 30 points, just one behind the trio of Al-Taawoun, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli.
Meanwhile Al-Shabab, enduring one of their worst starts in the top flight to date, managed to win their first game since Matchday 2. Despite going 2-1 down to NEOM, a four-minute brace by Yannick Carrasco propelled them to a 3-2 victory.
Matchday 16 kicks off on Friday, as Al-Ittihad face Al-Ettifaq that evening, Al-Nassr welcome Al-Shabab on Saturday and Al-Hilal travel to NEOM on Sunday for the round’s headlining fixtures.
