Joao inspired Barcelona qualify for UCL knockout stage for first time in 3 seasons
i

Joao cancelo celebrating his goal in Barcelona vs Porto || Image credit: Imago

Joao inspired Barcelona qualify for UCL knockout stage for first time in 3 seasons

Faruq Ibrahim 23:10 - 28.11.2023

Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo propel Barcelona to victory against Porto, and into the knockout stage of the Champions League.

The two Joaos whose arrival this summer came with much fanfare registered on the scoresheet to help Barcelona come from behind and win 2-1 against a dogged Porto side.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.ug/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

The Blaugrana hosted the Portuguese side at Montjuic with their future in their hands, knowing a win ensures qualification and a defeat could mean they play in the Europa League for the third consecutive season.

Xavi's team conceded first, but Joao Cancelo equalised almost immediately, and in the second half, he found his countryman Felix, who sidefooted home to give the hosts the glory.

Joao Felix: bio, age, preferred position and net worth of the Portuguese star
FOOTBALL

16:33 - 28.11.2023

Joao Felix: bio, age, preferred position and net worth of the Portuguese star

Joao Felix is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Portuguese national team and La Liga club Barcelona. He is currently on loan to Barcelona from Atlético Madrid, whom he joined for a club-record transfer fee from Benfica. His preferred position has been the source of debate among soccer fans, but he can be deployed as a winger or an attacking midfielder.

How it happened 

Xavi Hernandez’s side came into the game off the back of a run of tepid performances, and with the manager under pressure with whispers of a replacement, the match was a must-win.

It was the visitors, however, who started with conviction, as Porto pressed high against the Barcelona backline and made life uncomfortable for them.

The pressure from Sergio Conceicao’s men led to the ball nesting at the back of the net when Mehdi Teremi got on the end of a cross, but the linesman spared Barcelona’s blushes, and the goal was ruled out for offside. 

Joao Cancelo celebrates his goal for Barcelona against Porto || Image credit: imago
Joao Cancelo celebrates his goal for Barcelona against Porto || Image credit: imago

Porto would not be denied the second time, however, as Pepe pounced on a loose ball in the box before firing past the Barcelona goalie. Two minutes later Joao Cancelo danced through the Porto backline before curling the ball into the bottom right corner.

The goal galvanised the host and they started to dictate proceedings. On the 57th-minute mark, Cancelo found himself on the left flank once again and this time he rolled the ball through to Joao Felix, who sidefooted home.

 Barcelona had a number of chances to open a more comfortable lead but were profligate. It was, however, enough to seal maximum points and qualification into the Champions League knockout round for the first time since Lionel Messi’s exit.

Related content