Barcelona Take Giant Step Towards Champions League Last 16 with Hard-Fought Win at Porto

FC Barcelona

Barcelona took a major step towards the Champions League last 16 with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Porto on Wednesday. Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, latching onto a superb pass from İlkay Gündoğan.

Porto dominated much of the second half, but Barcelona held on for a vital victory to move top of Group H with two wins from two. Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernández will be particularly pleased with his side's defensive performance, with Jules Kounde and Marc-André ter Stegen both making crucial interventions.

Youngster Yamal Lamine Makes History

Yamal Lamine became the youngest player ever to start a Champions League match when he was named in the Barcelona XI against Porto. The 17-year-old midfielder was replaced at half-time with what appeared to be a stomach upset, but he will never forget his night in Portugal.


Shakhtar Win Thriller in Belgium


In the other Group H match, Shakhtar Donetsk came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Royal Antwerp. The Ukrainians looked to be heading for defeat after Jelle Bataille and Manuel Benson put the hosts two goals up before the half-hour mark. However, Shakhtar turned things around in the second half, with Oleksandr Zubkov, Mykhailo Mudryk and Artem Dovbyk all finding the net.


Barça Will Now Face Shakhtar at Home in Their Next Champions League Match on October 25.