Crvena Zvezda 2-5 Barcelona: Raphinha, Kounde, Lewandowski shine in dominant Barca win

Barcelona extended their winning streak with an impressive win over Crvena Zvezda, positioning themselves comfortably within the Top 8 of the Champions League standings. This marks their third consecutive victory in the new League Phase, with Hansi Flick’s squad showcasing maturity and resilience in one of Europe's most intense football atmospheres.

First Half Highlights

Barcelona dominated early possession and carved out multiple opportunities, but it was Iñigo Martínez who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute with a powerful header from a free-kick. Despite the early setback, Red Star Belgrade responded with intensity, driven by their fervent home crowd. The Serbian side’s persistence paid off when Silas lobbed Iñaki Peña to equalize just before the half-hour mark.

Barcelona quickly regained control as Robert Lewandowski reacted swiftly to Raphinha's shot off the post, tapping in a rebound in the 43rd minute to restore Barça’s lead heading into halftime.

Second Half Surge

Barcelona’s momentum continued as they increased the pace in the second half. Jules Kounde was instrumental, providing two key assists in quick succession. Lewandowski scored his second goal off Kounde’s cross, and shortly afterward, Raphinha netted a beautifully crafted strike to make it 4-1.

Barça briefly faced a scare when Pau Cubarsí sustained a head injury in a collision with Red Star captain Uros Spajic. Fortunately, Cubarsí managed to walk off the field, with Sergi Domínguez taking his place. Barcelona continued to pressure Red Star’s defense, and Kounde completed his hat-trick of assists by setting up Fermín López, who slotted home Barça’s fifth.

Red Star’s Felicio Milson scored a consolation goal with a stunning curling effort in the 83rd minute, but Barcelona maintained control until the final whistle, securing an emphatic three-goal victory.

Key Performances

• Robert Lewandowski showed his poacher’s instinct with two close-range finishes, bringing his Champions League tally to four goals.
• Jules Kounde stood out with a hat-trick of assists, contributing significantly to Barça’s attack.
• Raphinha was lively on the right wing, scoring a fantastic goal to seal the result.

Barcelona’s ability to manage the game’s tempo and capitalize on their opportunities highlights their growing cohesion and maturity. As Flick’s team continues to gel, they are proving themselves as a formidable force in Europe once more.

SportsLigue