Barcelona crush Copenhagen in Champions League League Phase Finale

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

FC Barcelona produced a commanding second-half performance to overcome an early deficit and secure a convincing 4-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the final round of the UEFA Champions League league phase on Wednesday, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

The result underlined Barcelona’s resilience under Hansi Flick and their ability to dominate possession and create chances against a well-organized but ultimately outmatched Danish side.

Copenhagen struck first but were overwhelmed as Barcelona’s attacking talent, led by Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and substitute Marcus Rashford, turned the contest decisively.

Copenhagen stunned the home crowd in the 4th minute when Viktor Dadason latched onto a precise link-up between Viktor Claesson and Mohamed Elyounoussi, firing low past Joan García to make it 1-0.

The early goal forced Barcelona to chase the game, but they gradually asserted control through patient build-up and width from Raphinha and Yamal.

The equalizer arrived shortly after halftime. In the 48th minute, Yamal slipped a clever pass into Lewandowski, who tapped into an empty net from close range to level at 1-1.

Barcelona’s pressure intensified, and in the 60th minute, Fermín found Yamal on the edge of the box; the young winger’s shot took a deflection off a defender and looped beyond Dominik Kotarski for a 2-1 lead.

The game turned decisively in the 68th minutes. After a VAR review confirmed Junnosuke Suzuki had tripped Fermín, Raphinha stepped up to convert the penalty coolly into the right corner, extending the advantage to 3-1.

Flick’s substitutions kept the momentum high: Rashford replaced Dani Olmo in the 72nd minute and immediately added dynamism.

Rashford sealed the rout in the 85th minute with a trademark free-kick. Awarded after Birger Meling’s foul, the Englishman curled a clever low shot into the bottom left corner, leaving Kotarski helpless and making it 4-1.

Copenhagen mounted a late rally, with Youssoufa Moukoko forcing a fine save from García, but their hopes of a consolation were extinguished in stoppage time. Gabriel Pereira headed in from close range in the 89th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check in the 92nd minute.

The decision preserved Barcelona’s clean three-goal margin.