Barcelona opened its Champions League campaign with a convincing 5‑1 win over Feyenoord at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. The Spanish side displayed an early attacking flair, with Brazilian forward Raphinha scoring inside the first three minutes and adding a second goal in the 57th minute.
Yamal’s free‑kick and Demirović’s hat‑trick
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal provided the highlight of the match, curling a left‑footed free‑kick from 20 metres around the defensive wall to find the net in the 77th minute. The goal underscored Yamal’s growing reputation as a set‑piece specialist.
Feyenoord’s German striker Ermedin Demirović, on loan from Stuttgart, was the only player to score for the Dutch side, netting a hat‑trick within the first 12 minutes of the first half. His three goals came in a 3‑1 victory over Norwegian debutants Viking earlier in the day, showing his scoring touch across the competition.
Additional contributions from new signings
Barcelona’s new arrivals also left their mark. Karim Adeyemi struck the top corner in the 22nd minute with a precise curling shot, while Gabriel Jesus, coming off the bench, headed in a goal in the 85th minute. Raphinha’s early strike brought his season total to eight goals in just five games, reinforcing his claim for Ballon d’Or consideration.
Context for the group stage
The match contributed to a high scoring rate in the opening eight games of this Champions League season, surpassing last season’s average of 3.47 goals per game. This marks the most prolific start since the 1960s era of the old European Cup format.
Other heavyweight clubs also began their campaigns on Wednesday. Two‑time defending champion Paris Saint‑Germain hosted Slovan Bratislava, while Arsenal traveled to Napoli after topping the 36‑team standings last season. Six‑time European champion Liverpool, now led by Spanish coach Andoni Iraola, faced Atletico Madrid in a repeat of last year’s opening round.
Looking ahead
Barcelona’s dominant performance sets a strong tone for the group stage, with manager Xavi Hernández emphasizing the importance of maintaining this momentum. Feyenoord’s coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a former Barcelona player who won the Champions League in 2006, will look to regroup as the Dutch side seeks points in its remaining group matches.
Fans can anticipate further excitement as the competition progresses, with the next round of fixtures slated for later this week.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
