This evening marked the start of the third leg of the 2023–2024 UEFA Champions League, with two early kickoffs that resulted in victories.
This evening at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, FC Barcelona faced a struggling Shakhtar Donetsk and made sure they kept up their winning streak.
In the 28th minute, Barcelona took the lead thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres, giving the impression that the game should be easily won by the visitors.
In the 36th minute, Fermín López increased Barca’s lead, making it clear that Shakhtar Donetsk were going to be thoroughly humiliated. The half ended 2-0 in favor of Barca, though, and the hosts were not motivated to score any more in the last minutes of the first half despite the swift two goals.
The Ukrainian team improved in organization and confidence during the second half, but they were unable to make any progress until after the half-hour mark.
Heorhiy Sudakov gave the visiting team a response in the 62nd minute, sending the hosts into a severe panic. Unfortunately, the game finished 2-1 in favor of the hosts, and it was the best the visitors could provide.
After three games, Barca leads Champions League Group H with nine points, while Shakhtar Donetsk is in third place with three points. Barca won 2-1.
Lazio, meanwhile, lost 3-1 away from home at the De Kuip against Dutch team Feyenoord because they were overmatched.
Ramiz Zerrouki’s goal and two goals by Santiago Giménez rendered Pedro of Lazio’s penalty goal useless.
Feyenoord now leads Group E with six points from three games after the 3-1 win. However, with four points from three games, Lazio has plummeted to third place.
