Barcelona handed a thrashing to Napoli while Arsenal had to go past FC Porto in an intense penalty shootout to make it to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, March 12.
Barca won their Round Of 16 clash 4-2 on aggregate in front of their home crowd, while David Raya was the hero for Arsenal after they overcame a tricky Porto side 4-2 on penalties after both teams had ended the tie 1-1.
Barcelona secure quarterfinal for the 1st time in 4 years
Barcelona reignited their Champions League aspirations by securing a spot in the quarter-finals, a feat they hadn’t achieved in four years. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Barcelona taking command early on, only for Napoli to claw back into contention, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
The scoring was opened by Fermin Lopez, who found the net 15 minutes into the game. Shortly thereafter, Joao Cancelo amplified the excitement by adding a second goal, putting Barcelona in a commanding position. However, Napoli wasn’t ready to bow out without a fight. Amir Rrahmani breathed life back into the game for Napoli with a goal at the 30-minute mark, narrowing the gap and injecting suspense into the match.
As the second half unfolded, both teams exchanged opportunities, with the tension palpable in the air. It wasn’t until the 83rd minute that Barcelona managed to seal their victory. Robert Lewandowski, always reliable, was at the right place at the right time to receive a pass from Sergi Roberto and calmly added the third goal for Barcelona. This goal not only secured Barcelona’s advancement but also extinguished Napoli’s hopes of a comeback.
Raya the hero for Arsenal against Porto
Arsenal managed to break through the defenses of Porto, securing their passage to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.
The match saw Arsenal’s resolve tested by a resilient Porto side, with the tension reaching its peak during the penalty shootout. Arsenal’s players displayed remarkable composure, successfully converting their initial four penalties. The tide turned in Arsenal’s favor when Porto’s Wendell’s penalty struck the post, followed by a crucial save from Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya against Galeno’s attempt, clinching the victory for the Londoners.
Earlier in the match, Leandro Trossard had breathed life into Arsenal’s campaign by equalizing the aggregate score with a well-timed goal just before the break. Despite dominating the Premier League, Arsenal found themselves thwarted by Porto’s strategic play, which extended the contest into extra time. However, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal demonstrated unwavering determination, overcoming years of round-of-16 disappointments.
