In the opening round of the Champions League group stage, Barcelona from Spain took on Antwerp from Belgium. The match unfolded at the Olympic Lewis Company stadium, where the Catalan side secured a decisive 5-0 victory. Barcelona showcased a powerful start, taking control early and maintaining pressure throughout the clash. The first goal arrived in the 11th minute, setting the tone for the rest of the game and giving the home team confidence that carried them forward.
Robert Lewandowski added a second goal just a few minutes later, striking in the 19th minute to extend the lead. The tempo remained high as Joao Felix delivered a pair of goals, first in the 11th minute sequence and again in the 66th, demonstrating his sharp finishing and ability to find space in the Antwerp defense. An unfortunate misfortune for Antwerp came in the 22nd minute when an own goal by Yelle Bataille further widened the gap, leaving the visitors with an uphill task from early on. The scoring was rounded out by Gavi, who found the net in the 54th minute, sealing a memorable afternoon for the home side.
The officiating team for the match was led by Romanian referee Radu Petrescu, who oversaw the action along with his colleagues to ensure fair play and adherence to the rules. The refereeing crew played a key role in keeping the tempo of the game under control as Barcelona asserted dominance on both ends of the pitch.
Group H of the Champions League features four teams: Barcelona and Antwerp, along with Porto from Portugal and Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine. The group stage opening also included a separate match in which Porto demonstrated clinical finishing, defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1. Wenderson Galeno found the net twice, with Mehdi Taremi adding another, while Kevin Kelce managed a consolation for Shakhtar. The result highlighted Porto’s attacking efficiency and set the tone for a competitive group campaign.
Looking ahead to the next round, the schedule pits Barcelona against Porto in an away fixture, while Antwerp will host Shakhtar Donetsk at home. Both matches are slated for October 4, offering another opportunity for these teams to establish their positions within Group H and navigate the early tournament dynamics.
Manchester City, the reigning champions, hold the current Champions League title after the previous season’s final, where they defeated Inter Milan with a 1-0 scoreline. The English club’s triumph underscored a successful defense of their European crown and added to a period of sustained excellence. This outcome continues to influence expectations for the competition as a whole, setting a benchmark for the rest of the participants and shaping the narrative around the season’s title race.