Barcelona put on a dominant performance on Tuesday night, securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Brest in the UEFA Champions League. But who could have imagined they'd bounce back so emphatically after their 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo over the weekend?
The match, played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, saw Barcelona control the game from start to finish, with a stellar performance that left no doubt about their superiority.
Robert Lewandowski stole the spotlight, scoring twice and making history in the process. The Polish striker netted his 100th and 101st Champions League goals, becoming the third player ever to reach a century in Europe's elite competition, following Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
His first came in the 10th minute from the penalty spot, after Brest’s goalkeeper Marco Bizot was adjudged to have fouled Lewandowski inside the box. Lewandowski’s cool finish was just the start of Barcelona's attacking onslaught.
Dani Olmo, who has been in fine form this season, doubled the lead in the 66th minute. His composed finish, after a clever first touch that took him past a Brest defender, put Barcelona firmly in control. It was a clinical display of skill that highlighted Olmo's growing influence at the club.
Lewandowski, never one to rest on his laurels, added his second goal in the dying moments of the match, slotting the ball into the bottom corner following a brilliant assist from Alejandro Balde. It was the perfect way for Barcelona to cap off a fantastic night, with Lewandowski adding yet another chapter to his storied Champions League career.
Despite their dominance, Barcelona were not without moments of tension. Brest did have a brief glimpse of hope when Mathias Pereira Lage found the back of the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside, much to the relief of Barcelona fans. Substitute Pablo Torre also had an opportunity to make it 4-0 but saw his shot slip just wide of the post.
Barcelona’s 77% possession and the fact that Brest didn't register a single shot on target tells the story of a one-sided affair. With this win, Barcelona climbed to second place in the league phase table, having now won four of their five matches. Meanwhile, Brest slipped to eighth, struggling to keep pace with the elite sides in the competition.
Was this the most complete performance from Barcelona this season? It's hard to argue otherwise, as they demonstrated both flair and ruthlessness, firmly establishing themselves as one of the teams to watch in this year's Champions League.
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