The Catalan club stood on the cusp of advancing to the knockout rounds with a victory over its Portuguese counterpart. Barcelona was nearing qualification for the next phase of the Champions League, carrying the weight of a long wait since their last group-stage exit in the previous three campaigns, a streak that weighed on both the club and its fanbase.
Questions still hung in the air about the players who helped steer Barcelona back to contention a decade earlier and where that core is now, following their 2011 Super Cup triumph over Porto.
What result does FC Barcelona need against FC Porto to secure a place in the round of 16 for the 2023/24 Champions League?
Under coach Xavi Hernández, Barcelona started Group H with momentum, winning three straight matches before a setback in the fourth game put a temporary pause on their ascent. Porto trailed closely on the table. The two clubs held a three-point cushion over Shakhtar, while Royal Antwerp had yet to score a point at that stage.
Practically speaking, a win at Montjuïc would seal progression for Barcelona, because with one game left they would lead Porto by three points and possess a head-to-head or goal-difference edge that could decide the outcome. At times a 0-0 result was discussed as part of the evolving tiebreak calculations, but the exact margins depended on the other results within the group.
Before the Barca-Porto clash began, the other Group H match, Shakhtar versus Royal Antwerp, had already reached a conclusion. A defeat for Shakhtar would open the door for Barcelona and Porto to qualify on Montjuïc if Barcelona could win. If Shakhtar escaped with a draw or victory, the final matchday would keep both Barcelona and Porto in contention, while the Ukrainian side would still command its own path.
Note: This analysis reflects the state of the 2023/24 Champions League group stage and is provided for historical context. Standings can shift with each matchday, and supporters should check official sources for the latest standings and tie-break rules.