Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal as Barcelona came from behind three times to draw 3-3 with Club Brugge in a thrilling Champions League clash.
Barcelona and Club Brugge shared the spoils in a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Jan Breydelstadion, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal once again proving decisive. The Spanish side came from behind three times but the hosts were left frustrated after Romeo Vermant’s stoppage-time winner was ruled out by VAR.
Hansi Flick’s men have won twice, draw once and lost once in four Champions League games, though this result leaves them eleventh in the league phase behind Tottenham Hotspur. Brugge, meanwhile, showed tremendous spirit to earn a valuable point after back-to-back defeats.
The game burst into life early as Brugge went ahead in the sixth minute. Carlos Forbs sprinted down the right and squared for Nicolo Tresoldi, who slid the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.
Barcelona responded just two minutes later. Fermín López’s cross found Ferran Torres, who struck first-time into the corner for his seventh goal of the season.
The hosts retook the lead on 17 minutes through Forbs, who combined with Christos Tzolis before slotting home. Barça hit the woodwork twice before halftime, with Jules Koundé and Fermín López both denied by inches. Brugge led 2-1 at the break, and the crowd sensed an upset might be brewing.
Barca’s persistence paid off just past the hour mark. Yamal dazzled the crowd with a brilliant solo run, beating two defenders, exchanging passes with López, and calmly finishing with the outside of his boot to make it 2-2.
But Brugge were relentless. Two minutes later, Forbs capitalised on another defensive lapse, racing onto Hans Vanaken’s pass and chipping over Szczesny to restore the lead at 3-2. The 21-year-old Portuguese winger, who joined from Ajax, was unstoppable throughout the night.
Barcelona thought their hopes were slipping away when Brugge were awarded a penalty after Alejandro Balde’s challenge on Forbs. However, VAR overturned the decision, keeping Barca in the contest.
Their luck soon turned. In the 77th minute, Yamal’s teasing cross forced an own goal from Tzolis, bringing the score to 3-3. Both teams pressed for a winner, and Brugge thought they had it in stoppage time, but Vermant’s goal was disallowed for a foul on Szczesny after another VAR check.
Both teams created plenty of chances, reflected in their identical expected goals (xG) tally of 2.14 for Club Brugge and 2.40 for Barcelona. Barcelona registered 23 shots and hit the woodwork three times, while Brugge’s six efforts on target all tested Szczesny.
Flick’s high defensive line once again looked vulnerable, with Brugge’s pace in transition causing repeated problems. Yamal’s strike made him the youngest player ever to score in four consecutive Champions League games.
Lamine Yamal’s mesmerizing goal was the highlight of the match, a moment that drew comparisons to a young Lionel Messi. Carlos Forbs was equally brilliant for Brugge, with two goals and an assist showcasing his blistering speed and clinical finishing.
Both sides will feel they could have won it, yet neither deserved to lose. It was a Champions League classic filled with skill, mistakes, and drama.
Barcelona sit on seven points from four matches and will travel to London to play Chelsea next in a crucial clash. For now, the Catalans will turn their attention to this weekend’s La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo as they look to close the gap on leaders Real Madrid. Club Brugge, now on four points, face a must-win trip to play Sporting Lisbon as they look to keep their qualification hopes alive.
