Barcelona finished the Champions League group stage top of their table but fell to a shock defeat on matchday six to Belgian side Antwerp after a chaotic few minutes of stoppage time.
17-year-old Barca substitute Marc Guiu had equalised at the death for Xavi’s side after they had twice trailed to the team they beat 5-0 on matchday one back in September, but it was 17-year-old Antwerp forward George Ilenikhena who sealed a famous result with an even later goal.
Arthur Vermeeren, the 18-year-old Barca and several other top sides have been keeping an eye on this season, gave Antwerp a dream start within a couple of minutes. That was cancelled out by Ferran Torres in the first half, while ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen scored a second for the Belgian champions to restore their lead soon after half-time.
The match had barely kicked off before Barcelona found themselves behind and it was a goal of their own making. Vermeeren intercepted the ball high up the pitch after goalkeeper Inaki Pena’s distribution put his teammates under pressure, with the youngster gratefully firing home.
Barca proceeded to dominate the ball as would always be expected from them, but the next chance fell to Antwerp too when Janssen swivelled in the box and hit a shot into the grasp of Pena. And for all that they were controlling the game, the visiting giants couldn’t find the gaps in their opponent’s defence and the frustration was beginning to become visible.
Remarkably, the equaliser from Torres was Barcelona’s first attempt of the game, taking 35 minutes to get the ball into a shooting position and unleash. The counter attack goal was made by Lamine Yamal, whose precision pass into the path of his teammate was clinically converted.
Sergi
Read on 90min.com