Club Brugge vs Barcelona: Standing ovation for Super Eagles star, as Yamal's effort proves insufficient

Barcelona's ultra-highline continues to be their Achilles heel, as they needed an own-goal to avoid defeat in the 3-3 draw at Club Brugge.

The Belgian opposition took the lead three times in the match, and each time Barcelona clawed it back, making for a thrilling six-goal affair.

Club Brugge stunned Barcelona just six minutes in when Nicolo Tresoldi got on the end of a sweeping team move, finishing low past Wojciech Szczęsny to make it 1-0. Barça responded almost immediately: in the 8th minute Torres drove into space and finished calmly from six yards after a neat build-up to level.

Brugge regained control by the 17th minute when Forbs picked out space between Barça’s centre-backs and curled a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner to restore the lead. 

Barcelona then spent the remainder of the first half chasing the game, with Yamal, Torres and Marcus Rashford combining well but unable to find the equaliser before half-time.

The second half opened with intensity, with both sides exchanging blows. However, the next goal did not come until the 61st minute, when Yamal produced the breakthrough: a quick one-two with Fermin released him into the box, and he placed his shot into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-2. 

Club Brugge responded almost immediately, with Forbs scoring again to restore their lead. Then in the 77th minute a flowing Barça attack ended with a cross from Yamal that forced Tzolis into a deflection and into his own net.

 Despite late chances from both sides, neither could find the winner as Barcelona held on for a point. Brugge, though disappointed, will view the result as a missed chance to beat a heavyweight.

Raphael Onyedika had a steely performance in the middle of the park for Club Brugge, contributing to the remarkable results. In fact, he received a standing ovation from the home crowd at Jan Breydel Stadium when he was replaced in the 84th minute.