Barcelona held on through a tense second half to secure a 3-1 victory over Napoli on Tuesday, advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-2 aggregate score.
Barcelona, led by Xavi Hernandez, started strong with goals from Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo. However, Napoli’s Amir Rrahmani narrowed the gap before Robert Lewandowski’s close-range strike sealed the victory. This marks Barcelona’s first Champions League quarter-final since 2020, achieved despite injuries to key midfielders Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong.
Xavi expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their dominance and dedication. Despite announcing his departure at the end of the season, Barcelona has enjoyed a nine-game undefeated streak under Xavi’s leadership.
Teenage talents Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have been instrumental in this success, providing relief amid a challenging season for Barcelona.
17-year-old centre-back Cubarsi impressed against Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, earning praise from Sergi Roberto as the game’s standout player.
Barcelona made history by fielding two players aged 17 or under in a knock-out stage match. Xavi urged fans to create a high-pressure atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium, resulting in a record attendance of over 50,000 spectators.
Napoli struggled as Barcelona dominated from the start, with 16-year-old winger Yamal making significant contributions. Fermin Lopez opened the scoring, showcasing his attacking prowess and hunger for goals in the absence of Pedri’s precision passing.
