Barcelona ended their UEFA Champions League campaign on a high by defeating Viktoria Plzeň 4-2 at the Doosan Arena, with the Czech champions equalling the record for the most goals conceded in the group phase of the competition with 24 goals.
Both sides were eliminated, but Xavi used this opportunity to experiment with his squad. His much-changed outfit were ahead inside six minutes when Marcos Alonso was first to respond to Ansu Fati’s shot being parried onto the line, slamming home his first-ever Barcelona goal.
Michal Bílek’s men absorbed plenty of pressure from the visitors’ hugely impressive start and soon grew into the game and created some of their chances. Stand-in Barça goalkeeper Iñaki Peña was forced to deny Lukáš Kalvach after Tomáš Chorý had headed against the bar.
Rafinha’s incisive lofted ball allowed Jordi Alba to nod across the goal, where Ferran Torres was waiting to slam home from close range.
The hosts made a breakthrough in the early stages of the second half from the penalty spot. After being brought down by debutant Pablo Torre inside the area, Chorý picked himself up and dispatched from 12 yards to reduce the arrears.
Meanwhile, Torres and Raphinha linked up on the inside right before the Spaniard fired into the back of the net for Barcelona’s third.
Chorý capitalized on some defensive lapses, and he was happy to capitalize and nod home his second of the night.
The visitors reasserted their dominance in the contest and put it to bed, with Torre atoning for conceding the penalty with an emphatic finish to net his first goal for the club
Atletico Madrid was knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 loss to Porto in Portugal.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid will welcome Celtic to the Santiago Bernabeu, while Sevilla will face Manchester City.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
