FC Barcelona secured a dominant 5-2 victory against Red Star Belgrade, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice, reaching his 99th Champions League goal and marking the club’s 700th in the competition. In contrast, Arsenal fell to a 0-1 defeat against Inter Milan, where a penalty by Hakan Calhanoglu decided the match. Kai Havertz suffered a head injury during the game. Other notable results included Atlético Madrid’s 2-1 win over PSG and Shakhtar Donetsk’s 2-1 victory against Young Boys Bern.
FC Barcelona Shines in Champions League Action
Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona continues to showcase its prowess on the European stage. Superstar Robert Lewandowski was instrumental in their latest triumph, netting two goals in a commanding 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade. With this performance, the former Bayern Munich striker reached a remarkable milestone, scoring his 98th and 99th Champions League goals during the match.
Barcelona took an early lead thanks to a header from Iñigo Martínez in the 13th minute. Despite a temporary equalizer from Silas, Lewandowski restored the advantage just before halftime with a goal in the 43rd minute. His second goal, coming in the 53rd minute, marked a historic moment for the club, as it counted as their 700th goal in Champions League history. Raphinha and Fermin added to the scoreline, while Milson netted a consolation goal for Belgrade. With this victory, Barcelona climbed to sixth place in the standings with three wins out of four matches.
Arsenal and Havertz Face Tough Loss
In a contrasting result, Kai Havertz and FC Arsenal experienced a disappointing 0-1 defeat against Inter Milan. The match saw Inter capitalize on a handball decision just before halftime, with Hakan Calhanoglu converting the penalty to secure the win for the hosts. After four matches, Inter sits in fifth place with ten points, while Arsenal finds themselves twelfth in the standings after suffering their first defeat of the campaign.
Havertz’s evening took a worrying turn when he was forced to leave the field after sustaining a head injury following a collision with German defender Yann Aurel Bisseck. The national player bled heavily and required treatment before exiting with a blood-soaked compress applied to his wound. His availability for the upcoming Nations League fixtures remains uncertain.
In other matches, Atlético Madrid pulled off a significant 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, showcasing their resilience after falling behind early in the game. Meanwhile, Stade Brest continued their impressive form with a 2-1 triumph over Sparta Prague, accumulating ten points out of a possible twelve. On the flip side, Aston Villa suffered a setback against Club Brugge, marking their first loss of the season due to a contentious hand penalty decision.
Shakhtar Donetsk also celebrated a much-needed victory, overcoming Young Boys Bern 2-1, finally ending their scoring drought. Both teams are now looking toward the knockout stages as the Champions League progresses.