SCRA Saint-Omer 3-4 Barça: Win in final Champions League game
A victory to say adieu to the WSE Champions League for Barça as David Cáceres' side came through 3-4 away to SCRA Saint-Omer (3-4) in the final gameweek of Europe's premier club competition. Cervera, Aragonès, Barroso and Pablo Álvarez scored the blaugrana goals.
Superb atmosphere in Saint-Omer
Neither side could classify for the next round, but they both came out firing. The blaugranes started best with Marc Grau hitting the woodwork. Both sides kept up the intensity, before Eloi Cervera struck with a long shot in the 13th minute (0-1). Barça then took control, but the home side had chances, with the crowd roaring them on.
Three goals before the break
Carles Grau maintained the lead before Sergi Aragonès extended it (0-2, min 17). The French side kept pushing and hit back through Marçal Cuenca on the counter (1-2, min 23). Still time for two more goals before half-time, Xavi Barroso making it 1-3, before Colin reduced the deficit to one from the right wing (2-3, min 25).
Simmering second half
The pace dropped after restart but the chances keep coming. Carles Grau made an early save before Matias Pascual hit the bar. There was nothing to choose between the sides but the home side got two penalties in a row – Colin dispatched the first to make it 3-3, before Carles Grau saved the second.
Pablo Álvarez seals victory
The blaugranes then took the game to the home side, Marc Grau and Pablo Álvarez both being thwarted by the keeper. However, the latter broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with a shot into the top left hand corner (3-4) and sealed a win in the final game in Europe this season.
Next up, Barça will face Noia Freixenet into the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey (6 March, 8.45pm).
GAME STATS
SCRA Saint-Omer, 3
Barça, 4
SCRA Saint-Omer: Tom Savreux, Colin, Leo Savreux, Martiñan, Barengo - starting five - Libessart, Hermant, Cuenca, Malmaceda, Llisa.
Barça: Carles Grau, Barroso, Alabart, Marc Grau, Sergi Llorca - starting five - Edu Jurado, Matias Pascual, Pablo Álvarez, Sergi Aragonès, Eloi Cervera.
Goals: 0-1, Cervera (min 13); 0-2, Aragonès (min 17); 1-2, Cuenca (min 23); 1-3, Barroso (min 23); 2-3, Colin (min 25); 3-3, Colin (min 38); 3-4, Pablo Álvarez (min 44).
Referees: Sílvia Coelho and Pedro Silva. Fouls: 5-3.