Barcelona’s Second-Half Surge Sinks Copenhagen and Seals Champions League Last 16
Barcelona looked on the edge for 45 minutes, but what followed was a reminder of why this club still commands Europe’s biggest stage.
At the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona came from behind to beat Copenhagen 4–1 and secure direct qualification to the Champions League last 16. The scoreline suggests comfort, but the story was far more tense, especially early on.
Copenhagen stunned the home crowd almost immediately. Just four minutes in, a quick move through midfield caught Barcelona cold and teenage striker Viktor Dadason finished calmly to give the Danish side a shock lead. For Copenhagen, the moment felt huge. A disciplined defensive shape followed and for much of the first half, Barcelona looked frustrated, rushed and uncertain. Chances came, pressure built, but the equaliser refused to arrive.
At the break, the stakes were clear. Anything less than a win could have pushed Barcelona into a playoff scenario and the unease around the stadium reflected that reality.
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Then the second half flipped everything.
Three minutes after the restart, Lamine Yamal injected speed and confidence into the attack, sliding the ball across for Robert Lewandowski to finish from close range. It was a simple goal, but a crucial one and it changed the tone instantly. Barcelona pressed higher, moved the ball faster and Copenhagen began to retreat.
Ten minutes later, Yamal did it himself. From the edge of the box, he bent a shot toward the corner, aided by a deflection and suddenly Barcelona were in front. The teenager’s influence was everywhere and Copenhagen’s resistance was cracking.
The third goal followed soon after. Lewandowski was clipped in the box and Raphinha stepped up to calmly convert the penalty. At that point, the contest felt settled, but Barcelona were not done.
Marcus Rashford, introduced from the bench, delivered the final blow. His late free kick was struck with precision and confidence, sealing the win and underlining his growing impact in this Champions League campaign.
This result matters beyond one night. Barcelona finish in the top eight of the league phase, avoiding the playoffs and buying themselves breathing space in a demanding season. For Hansi Flick, it reinforces belief in a squad blending experience with youth. For Copenhagen, the early promise fades into disappointment as they fall short of progression.
Barcelona march on in Europe, tested, pushed, but ultimately convincing when it mattered most. Stay with us as the Champions League story continues to unfold across Europe and keep watching for the next decisive moments in this competition.
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