Lopez Double Powers Barcelona to 4–2 Champions League Win at Slavia Prague

Fermin Lopez struck twice in the first half as Barcelona secured a 4–2 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague on Wednesday, with second-half goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski sealing the win.

The result keeps Barcelona in the hunt for a top-eight finish in the league phase, which would guarantee automatic qualification for the last 16. The Catalans will conclude the league phase with a home fixture against FC Copenhagen next week.

Barca returned to winning ways on a freezing night in Prague after Sunday’s La Liga defeat at Real Sociedad ended an 11-match winning streak.

Reigning Czech champions Slavia, playing their first competitive match after the winter break, had managed only three draws and two goals in the Champions League this season before Wednesday’s encounter.

The hosts took the lead in the 10th minute when striker Vasil Kusej forced the ball over the line at the far post following Tomas Holes’s glancing header from a corner.

Lopez equalized for Barcelona in the 34th minute after captain Frenkie de Jong found him unmarked inside the penalty area. The midfielder then gave the visitors the lead eight minutes later with a low effort that caught Slavia goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek off guard.

Slavia responded just before the interval when Lewandowski inadvertently deflected a corner into his own net, bringing the score level at half-time.

Olmo restored Barcelona’s advantage in the 63rd minute, firing a superb strike into the top corner just three minutes after replacing Pedri. Lewandowski atoned for his earlier own goal on 71 minutes, finishing from close range after a pass from Marcus Rashford.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was without suspended winger Lamine Yamal, while Ferran Torres missed out due to a muscle injury.

The match began with a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of Sunday’s train crash in Spain, which claimed 43 lives.

Slavia Prague were eliminated from the competition after a fourth defeat in seven European matches left them third from bottom in the standings.

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