Barcelona beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 on Wednesday to keep a perfect record and stay on course to advance to the knockout rounds of the Champions League after two straight group-stage eliminations.
Ferran Torres and Fermín López scored a goal each in the first half to help Barcelona secure its third straight victory in Group H. The Catalan club reached nine points, three more than Porto, which won 4-1 at winless Antwerp. Shakhtar stayed with three points. Barcelona, the five-time European champion, hasn’t advanced past the group stage since Lionel Messi left in 2021. “It’s a sign of progress for us to earn nine points in the first three matches,” Barcelona coach Xavi said. “We are not through to the next stage yet, but we took a step toward that.” The victory kept the Spanish club unbeaten in 13 matches overall this season, with 10 wins and three draws.
Shakhtar, in the debut of new coach Marino Pušic, was trying to win consecutive Champions League matches for the first time in more than five years. Torres put Barcelona ahead in the 28th with a volley from inside the area after López’s shot hit the woodwork. López added to the lead in the 36th after clearing a defender just outside the area and firing a right-footed shot into the top corner.
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