Koundé's quickfire brace helps Barcelona see off Frankfurt

Barcelona were comfortable with possession early on, but Frankfurt fancied to exploit the hosts’ high line. However, with the continued absence of Jonathan Burkardt, the visitors lacked a reference in the final third.

Meanwhile, Barcelona increased their pressure after the 10th minute. First, Robert Lewandowski scored with a clinical finish, but Raphina delivered the assist from an offside position. Then, Michael Zetterer’s first save of the night came from an ambitious long-range effort by Gerard Martín.

Yet, that’s where Frankfurt’s game plan was fruitful. With more space opened up in Barcelona’s defense, Nathaniel Brown and Ansgar Knauff combined well to stun the LaLiga leaders. The sought-after fullback played a magnificent chipped pass, which Knauff expertly finished by escaping Alejandro Balde’s tackle to put Frankfurt ahead with their first chance.

The former Borussia Dortmund player played his part in Frankfurt’s famous win at Camp Nou back in 2022. In what was the first competitive meeting between the teams, Frankfurt knocked out Barcelona from Europa League in their way of winning the competition for the first time since 1980.

Back to the latest events, Dino Toppmöller’s side miserably failed to defend their lead against Liverpool earlier in the competition, but Robin Koch’s excellent block from Fermín López’s shot signalled that they’re in this with more grit and determination.

Barcelona continued to camp inside Frankfurt’s half for the rest of the half. However, if anything, Frankfurt had the only clear-cut chance when Ellyes Skhiri failed to keep his shot on target in one of his last games before joining the Tunisia national team for the AFCON.

With his side slipping to 19th place in the live standings, Hansi Flick introduced Markus Rashford in place of Fermín for the second-half. The Manchester United loanee already scored four goals in Europe’s premier competition.

Yet, the half also started how the previous one finished. Joan García had to be alert to keep out Skhiri. The Englishman created the much-needed difference, though. A minute after setting up Raphinha unselfishly from an offside position, Rashford put it on the plate for Jules Koundé’s first Champions League goal in five years.

Barcelona’s right-back only waited less than five more minutes for his next strike, though. The Frenchman scored with another header, this time from Lamine Yamal’s superb delivery from the same flank.

The five minutes between Barcelona’s two goals will dominate the highlight reels from the game. Farès Chaïbi rattled the crossbar even though it’d not have counted because of an offside, while Pedri and Yamal came close at the other end.

Five minutes after his assist, Yamal saw his third booking of the Champions League campaign, which means he’ll miss Barcelona’s next game. They were in full control of the game, though, as Rashford, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres squandered decent chances.

Ferran Torres, who was subbed on to replace Lewandowski, had another opportunity parried by Zetterer. Toppmöller brought Elye Wahi to have a striker’s presence in the box, but the goalless forward was unable to punish Barcelona’s high-line defending. Flick then managed to slow the tempo of the game with the introduction of Frenkie de Jong.

With only four points to their name, Frankfurt have very little chance of progressing from the league phase as they face Qarabağ and Tottenham Hotspur in 2026. Before then, they will hope to go into Winterpause with wins over Augsburg and Hamburg.