Burkina Faso
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Red Star2 - 5Barcelona

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 November 2024, 22:01
Barcelona's impressive run of form continued on Wednesday evening, with the Catalan giants recording a 5-2 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.

Hansi Flick's side have now been victorious in each of their last seven matches in all competitions, while their third European victory of the season moved them into sixth position in the Champions League table on nine points.

The breakthrough came in the 13th minute, with a wonderful delivery from the in-form Raphinha being headed into the back of the net by Inigo Martinez, who had impressively freed himself at the far post.

Red Star Belgrade managed to answer back in the 27th minute of the contest, with Silas levelling the scores after bursting through on goal, with the attacker lifting the ball over the onrushing Inaki Pena.

Barcelona were back ahead in the latter stages of the first period, though, and it was another goal for Robert Lewandowski, with the striker converting from close range after a strike from Raphinha had struck the inside of the post.

The visitors then took the match away from Red Star Belgrade early in the second half, and the two assists came from Jules Kounde, who first set up Lewandowski to score from close range, before the Frenchman picked out Raphinha, and he continued his stunning start to the season with a brilliant finish into the corner to make it 4-1.

Kounde was at it again in the 76th minute, providing his third assist of the match, as the Frenchman's low cross was poked into the back of the net by substitute Fermin Lopez.

Red Star Belgrade managed to score a second in the 84th minute through Milson, but it was always going to be a case of too little, too late, as Barcelona comfortably triumphed in their fourth Champions League game of the season.

RED STAR BELGRADE VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS

Inigo Martinez goal vs. Red Star Belgrade (13th min, Red Star Belgrade 0-1 Barcelona)

Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 13th minute of the contest, as Martinez heads a delivery from Raphinha into the back of the net; Martinez broke free of the pack at the far post and directed his effort into the corner.

Silas goal vs. Barcelona (27th min, Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Barcelona)

Red Star Belgrade answer back in the 27th minute of the European affair, and the goal comes from Silas, who meets a pass from Rade Krunic before lifting the ball into the back of the net; impressive response from the hosts here!

43rd min: Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Barcelona (Robert Lewandowski)

Barcelona regain the lead in the latter stages of the first period, with Lewandowski turning into the back of the net from close range after a strike from Raphinha had come off the post and fallen kindly for the striker.

53rd min: Red Star Belgrade 1-3 Barcelona (Robert Lewandowski)

Lewandowski has his second of the night, and it is a simple finish for the striker, as he turns a cross from Kounde into the back of the net from close range; Red Star Belgrade now have a huge mountain to climb on home soil.

55th min: Red Star Belgrade 1-4 Barcelona (Raphinha)

Barcelona surely secure the points by scoring a fourth goal, with Raphinha excellently picking out the bottom corner from distance following another impressive cross from Kounde, who has come up with two assists tonight.

76th min: Red Star Belgrade 1-5 Barcelona (Fermin Lopez)

Kounde has a hat-trick of assists! Barcelona score their fifth of the match in the 76th minute, with Lopez carefully placing the ball into the corner after being found by his right-back; Barcelona are a serious team at the moment.

84th min: Red Star Belgrade 2-5 Barcelona (Milson)

Red Star Belgrade have their second of the night, with Milson curling one into the far corner of the net; it is a brilliant finish, but it will not earn the home side anything from this match.

MAN OF THE MATCH - JULES KOUNDE

Lewandowski came up with another two goals on Wednesday, but he just misses out on the man-of-the-match award due to the brilliant performance of his teammate Kounde.

The 25-year-old produced three assists against Red Star Belgrade, and his use of the ball was excellent all night, finishing with a pass success rate of 94%, with the Frenchman having one of his best games in a Barcelona shirt.

RED STAR BELGRADE VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS

Possession: Red Star Belgrade 30%-70% Barcelona

Shots: Red Star Belgrade 4-21 Barcelona

Shots on target: Red Star Belgrade 2-9 Barcelona

Corners: Red Star Belgrade 1-7 Barcelona

Fouls: Red Star Belgrade 4-12 Barcelona

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Barcelona will now switch their attention back to La Liga, facing a trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday night; Flick's side are currently top of the La Liga table, nine points ahead of the reigning champions Real Madrid in second spot.

Red Star Belgrade, meanwhile, will continue their Super Liga campaign away to second-placed OFK Beograd on Sunday afternoon; Vladan Milojevic's side are the runaway leaders in Serbia's top flight, 10 points ahead of their opponents this weekend.

Show more

Top News

21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Martin Odegaard's performance levels have reportedly concerned staff at Arsenal, with the club believed to be assessing their options ahead of the summer transfer window. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has insisted that he is close to fulfilling one of his childhood dreams amidst speculation that he could leave Anfield in the summer transfer window. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to rotate his side for Wednesday's La Liga meeting with Getafe at the Coliseum. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Getafe will be unable to call upon Christantus Uche for Wednesday's La Liga clash against Real Madrid at the Coliseum. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco has expressed confidence that goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will stay at the club beyond this season. 21 April 2025 talksport.com VAR's biggest critics had an eight-minute respite due to a fire alarm during Nottingham Forest's 2-1 win over Tottenham. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has praised his side's character after they earned a 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Alaves will continue their La Liga survival bid when they welcome fellow Basque side Real Sociedad to Mendizorroza on Wednesday. 21 April 2025 talksport.com Matheus Cunha may well snub the Champions League for the lure of Old Trafford. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women will look to bounce back from Sunday's heavy European defeat to Barcelona when they welcome Crystal Palace Women to Kingsmeadow for Wednesday's league clash. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest reclaimed third place in the Premier League as they secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal journalist Charles Watts is not "losing sleep" over the Gunners missing out on the signature of talented Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan, but he has conceded that the North London giants could be better at acquiring young talents. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Mallorca on Tuesday night. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will continue their La Liga title bid when they travel to the South of the Spanish capital for Wednesday's meeting with Getafe at the Coliseum. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will continue their La Liga title bid when they travel to the South of the Spanish capital for Wednesday's meeting with Getafe at the Coliseum. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen chief Fernando Carro has admitted that manager Xabi Alonso's future will be decided in the next weeks, with Real Madrid keen on securing his services. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad in an important encounter in the race for Champions League qualification in the Premier League on Tuesday night. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur's chances of signing Chelsea defender Renato Veiga have reportedly been dashed, with the Blues said to be reluctant to conduct business with their rivals. 21 April 2025 talksport.com Burnley's 2-1 win over Sheffield United caused bedlam at home and in Yorkshire at it secured theirs and Leeds' Premier League promotion. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk A Taca de Portugal semi-final tie that already appears done and dusted sees Benfica welcome Tirsense to Estadio da Luz for Wednesday evening's second leg. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon make the trip to Rio Ave back on Wednesday evening, with one foot already in the final after establishing a two-goal cushion in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final tie. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest have announced their first XIs for Easter Monday's Premier League game in North London. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool fans should "accept" that Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to embark on a different career path with Real Madrid, former England full-back Nigel Winterburn has exclusively told Sports Mole. 21 April 2025 talksport.com Don't try telling Bayer Leverkusen fans to have a happy Easter. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is reported to have a release clause of just £60million, with Manchester United and Arsenal interested in bringing him to England. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will warm up for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona with a trip across the Spanish capital for Wednesday's La Liga meeting with Getafe. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have supposedly rekindled their interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa as they continue to scope out possible replacements for Andre Onana. 21 April 2025 talksport.com The face of Leicester City, Jamie Vardy, has savaged his side's relegation in no uncertain terms. 21 April 2025 talksport.com Sir Jim Ratcliffe was the target of a section of Manchester United fans' ire against Wolves at Old Trafford on Sunday. 21 April 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah has confirmed his decision over his future amid speculation that Liverpool are pushing to sign him on a free transfer this summer.