Barcelona produced a scintillating display in Serbia on Wednesday evening, overwhelming Crvena Zvezda 5-2 in the Champions League.
The hosts thought they had taken an early lead, but VAR intervened to rule out their third-minute goal for offside. Undeterred, Barcelona seized control, with Inigo Martinez heading Raphinha’s pinpoint delivery past the Zvezda goalkeeper on 13 minutes.
Crvena Zvezda equalised in style on 26 minutes, as Silas cleverly chipped Inaki Pena after breaching Barcelona’s defence. However, the visitors regained the lead just before half-time, Robert Lewandowski demonstrating his predatory instincts by converting Raphinha’s rebounded shot.
After the interval, Lewandowski squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to seal the win, but promptly atoned with another close-range finish, courtesy of Jules Kounde’s inviting cross. Raphinha then capped Barcelona’s blistering second-half start with a clever, low finish from the edge of the box, again created by Kounde’s vision.
Kounde completed a remarkable hat-trick of assists on 76 minutes, as substitute Fermin Lopez buried his expertly crafted cut-back. Crvena Zvezda’s Felicio Milson responded with a stunning curled effort, but it proved mere consolation in a resounding Barcelona victory.
Hansi Flick’s side underlined their Champions League credentials with this emphatic triumph, while Kounde’s exceptional display will have caught the eye of fans and pundits alike.
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