Osimhen caged by 17-year-old as Barcelona knockout Napoli
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Barcelona vs Napoli || Image credit: Imago

Osimhen caged by 17-year-old as Barcelona knockout Napoli

Faruq Ibrahim 23:06 - 12.03.2024

Barcelona's Champions League ambitions live on as they send Osimhen and company home thanks to a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Barcelona advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time since the 2019/20 season after beating Napoli 3-1 on the night, and 4-2 on aggregate.

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The Blaugrana settled for a draw in the first-leg despite putting up a dominant display, and had all to play for in the return leg at Montjuic.

Thanks to goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo and Lewandowski for the hosts Amir Rrahmani's goal served as a mere souvenir for the visiting fans, as Barcelona advance to the next round.

How it happened 

Barcelona started brilliantly, dictating the tempo early on. Their early pressure bore fruit as they scored the opener in the 15th minute of the game after a well-worked team move. 

Raphinha was played in behind the Napoli backline, the Brazilian cut the ball back was Fermin Lopez who side-footed past Alex Meret.

Three minutes later, Barcelona doubled the lead from a devastating counterattack. Lamine Yamal carried the ball from the Barcelona backline into the final third before playing through to Raphinha.

The former Leeds United winger cut inside before shooting with his right foot. However, his attempt rattled the bottom right, but Cancelo was close to score the rebound. 

Barcelona were coasting, but Napoli soon got themselves back into the tie. On the half-hour mark, Rrahmani received a cutback from Mateo Politano at the edge of the box, before side-footing past Ter Stegen. 

The second-half was a more even affair, with both sides threatening the other’s goal. However, Barcelona scored the only goal of the half when Sergi Roberto teed up Robert Lewandowski for a tap-in.

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