Not without difficulties along the way, FC Barcelona got the job done in Prague and gave their chances of a Top 8 finish in the Champions League a much-needed boost.

A brilliant first-half brace from Fermin López came in between two goals from corners from the hard-working home side, and Barça needed a much better performance in the second half to get things sorted out.

the game as it happened

And that’s what they gave, with goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski securing a 4-2 victory that leaves the Catalans ninth in the table, just one place below direct qualification for the last sixteen, and one of no fewer than eight teams that are tied on 13 points.

Victory over FC Copenhagen next week should now be enough to guarantee that Barça avoid having to negotiate a play-off, especially if it’s by a multiple goal margin.

The downside to the evening, however, was the loss of Pedri to what looked like a muscle injury. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we have more precise details of the Canary Islander’s condition.

Early setback

On a cold, misty night in the Czech capital, Barça took too long to settle into the game and found themselves a goal down after ten minutes. A corner nodded onto the far post was met by a bundle between Vasil Kusej, Frenkie de Jong and Joan García and somehow or other the ball ended up crossing the line.

Slavia hadn’t scored in any of their last five Champions League fixtures, but any thoughts that this was going to be an easy ride soon vanished.

Fermin double

Barça were still far from comfortable when MVP Fermin came to the rescue with two fine goals within the space of just eight minutes.

For the first, he collected a De Jong assist and beautifully converted from an angle, while the second goal was even more aesthetically pleasing. This time Pedri was the supplier, and Fermin’s strike from outside the box was simply stunning.

Cornered again

But just when it looked like Barça had found their way out of the mess, Slavia pulled back level.

Like the first, it came from a corner, but this time it was an unfortunate Lewandowski who headed the ball into his own net.

Barça were a much better side after the break, and could have re-taken the lead long before they actually did had De Jong’s tap-in not been discounted for a miniscule offside call.

Clicking at last

Instead it was Dani Olmo who claimed the third, mere moments after coming on for the ill-fated Pedri. The goal was an utter corker. It wasn’t fortune that sent the ball into the top-right corner. He very clearly picked the exact spot where he wanted the ball to go. And he found it. 3-2, and Barça finally had the game by the throat.

But it wasn’t just about the three points. Goal difference is very likely to come into play when deciding the top eight qualifiers.

Lewandowski made a huge contribution to that cause with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Marcus Rashford slipped the ball into the killer zone, and although he initially miscontrolled, the Pole beat the keeper to get a second touch that was enough to secure what is, surprisingly, his first UCL goal of the present campaign.

And there were other reasons that made that goal even more special.

Big Wednesday ahead

Slavia, for whom only a victory would serve to keep their own qualification hopes alive, battled hard to get back into the game. But by now they were fighting a lost cause. Barça had three points in the bag, and almost as importantly, had added raised their goal difference by two.

There’s still a job do again the Danes next Wednesday, but for now, things are looking very sweet indeed.

 

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