The result leaves Barca six points clear at the top of the table with reigning champions Real Madrid in second with a game in hand.

Sheraldo Becker’s first-half effort proved decisive for the hosts, who merited their victory and spurned several excellent chances to make it even more emphatic.

Robert Lewandowski had a first-half effort controversially ruled out for offside for Hansi Flick’s Barca, who endured a difficult evening.

The Catalans, who had won on their previous four visits to San Sebastian looked devoid of ideas going forward and insecure in defence.

The introduction of Dani Olmo for the largely ineffective Frenkie de Jong did little to turn the match in their favour.

And with their 17-year-old Spain international Yamal sidelined, with a knock picked up in the Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade, the visitors failed to register a single shot on target.

Lewandowski, 36, took his season tally to 19 goals in 16 games in all competitions to move within one goal of becoming only the third player in history to reach a century of Champions League goals, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The Poland international’s reactive finish after Raphinha’s shot rebounded off the post restored Barcelona’s lead before half-time, with Inigo Martinez’s 13th-minute header cancelled out by Silas Katompa Mvumpa’s opener against the run of play.

Two quick-fire Barcelona goals early in the second half took the game away from Serbian champions Red Star, as Jules Kounde assisted Lewandowski and Raphinha before also teeing up Fermin Lopez late on.

There was still time for substitute Milson to score a late consolation with a brilliant, curled finish for Red Star, who remain without a point in 35th place in the table.

Victory lifted Barcelona up to sixth in the new 36-team league format, and Lewandowski will have the chance to score his 100th Champions League goal at home to Brest later this month.

Fresh from thrashing Real in their El Clasico encounter last week, Barca’s attacking play was again sensational at times, with teenage winger Lamine Yamal once more looking a class above his contemporaries.

He bent in a wonderful cross with the outside of his foot which Dani Olmo turned in off the crossbar for the 12th-minute opener.

Another talented youngster, Marc Casado, then played an equally good ball in behind the Espanyol defence 11 minutes later, with captain Raphinha timing his run perfectly to clip the ball home.

Defensively, Barca’s incredibly high line once again made life interesting, with Espanyol having two goals ruled out for narrow offside calls.

Full-back Omar el Hilali squared for Jofre Carreras to sweep in, but the strike was ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR). Moments later, Olmo got his second with a thumping shot from the edge of the area to put Barca 3-0 up.

Early in the second half Alvaro Tejero’s effort for the visitors was also ruled out after another close offside call.

Captain Javi Puado, though, swept in at the far post 18 minutes after the break to reduce the deficit.

Espanyol improved as Barcelona shut down, but the fourth-bottom side were second best throughout as their dismal derby record continued.

They have now gone 27 straight derbies without a win over Barcelona and have lost six of their past seven games in La Liga.

Flick’s side have won 11 of their 12 league games under the German and, since their sole loss at Osasuna at the end of September, have won six in a row in all competitions, scoring 24 goals in the process.

They visit Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on Wednesday and will look to maintain this wonderful run of form.

Earlier on Sunday, third-placed Atletico Madrid beat Las Palmas 2-0 to move to within a point of Real in the table.

Bonmati won every possible trophy at club level last season as Barcelona secured a historic quadruple – winning Liga F, the Champions League, Supercopa and Copa de la Reina.

The 26-year-old scored a career-best tally of 19 goals across all four competitions.

Bonmati also spearheaded Spain’s charge to the inaugural Women’s Nations League title in February with four goals, including one in their 2-0 win over France in the final.

“Thank you so much for your applause. I’m so grateful to be here to receive this award for the second time,” Bonmati said after she received the award in Paris.

“I always say this is not something that you can do alone, I’m so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful players who help me to keep growing into a better player.”

England’s Lauren James achieved a 13th-place finish in the voting, while her Lionesses team-mates Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp finished 20th and 28th, respectively.

Emma Hayes became the first winner of the Women’s Coach of the Year award after leading Chelsea to a fifth straight Women’s Super League title before guiding the United States to Olympic gold at Paris 2024.

Bonmati follows in Putellas’ footsteps

The award, officially called the Ballon d’Or Feminin, recognises the best footballer of the year and is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s world ranking.

Bonmati won the 2023 award after helping her club triumph in the Spanish top flight and Champions League, and Spain claim their first Women’s World Cup.

The playmaker joins compatriot and Barcelona team-mate Alexia Putellas as the only players to have won the Women’s Ballon d’Or – which was first awarded in 2018 – twice.

Bonmati netted the first goal in Barca’s Champions League final triumph over Lyon and was named the tournament’s player of the season.

Barcelona win women’s club of the year award

After winning the inaugural award for women’s club of the year in 2023, Barcelona picked up the award again after their success in Liga F, the Champions League, Supercopa and Copa de la Reina.

Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta said: “We are really honoured. Thanks to all the people in the club, especially the players who are working really hard to make Barcelona have the best women’s football team in the world.

The club had six players nominated for the women’s Ballon d’Or.

Hermoso wins Socrates Award

Image source: Getty Images

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso was awarded with the Socrates Award, which recognises humanitarian work off the pitch.

Hermoso, who plays her club football for Mexican side Tigres, has been an outspoken advocate for women’s football and against sexual harassment in the game.

She was kissed by former Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales after Spain won the 2023 World Cup final, which she later said was not consensual.

“Women’s football deserves a place for new and future generations,” Hermoso, 34, said.

“This morning, I woke up and remembered a voice of a little girl saying she wanted to become a footballer, I find it inspiring. I want to keep that going and help make the world a better place.

“I’d like to ask all of you to get together and work together in order to make a better world possible and to make football become what little girls deserve for the future.”

Women’s Ballon d’Or top 10

1. Aitana Bonmati (Spain and Barcelona)
2. Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway and Barcelona)
3. Salma Paralluelo (Spain and Barcelona)
4. Sophia Smith (United States and Portland Thorns)
5. Lindsey Horan (United States and Lyon)
6. Mallory Swanson (United States and Chicago Red Stars)
7. Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France and Paris St-Germain)
8. Mariona Caldentey (Spain and Barcelona/Arsenal)
9. Trinity Rodman (United States and Washington Spirit)
10. Alexia Putellas (Spain and Barcelona)

The talented winger’s outstanding performances for both club and country, including playing a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, secured him the prestigious award.

Yamal’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He made his senior debut for Barcelona at just 15 years old in April 2023 and has since become an integral part of the Catalan giants’ squad, dazzling fans with his skill, speed, and maturity beyond his years.

The young forward’s achievements over the past year have been truly outstanding. In September 2023, he earned his first cap for the Spanish national team, and less than a year later, played a vital role in helping La Roja clinch the European Championship title.

Yamal topped the Kopa Trophy rankings, followed by Real Madrid’s Arda Guler in second place and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo in third.

The young star joins an illustrious list of previous winners, including Barcelona teammates Gavi and Pedri, and looks to build on this success as his team faces Espanyol in their upcoming La Liga fixture.

Yamal’s record-breaking feats have not gone unnoticed. He became the youngest scorer in Spanish Super Cup history and the second-youngest in UEFA Champions League history.

Just two days before receiving the Kopa Trophy, Yamal etched his name in the history books once again, becoming the youngest goalscorer in El Clásico as Barcelona trounced rivals Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

As the fourth consecutive winner from a Spanish club, Yamal follows in the footsteps of illustrious names such as Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Gavi, and Pedri (both Barcelona).

With his undeniable talent and potential, many believe that the young Spaniard is destined for even greater heights, and it may not be long before he finds himself in contention for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Videos on social media appear to show the 17-year-old Spaniard being taunted by a section of home fans as he celebrated his 77th-minute goal by pointing to his name on the back of his shirt.

Robert Lewandowski scored twice and Raphinha completed the scoring as Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win to take them six points above their rivals at the top of La Liga.

A La Liga statement read: “La Liga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures received by Barcelona players to the Hate Crimes Section of the National Police Information Brigade, as well as informing the Co-ordinating Prosecutor of the Hate Crimes and Discrimination unit of the State Attorney General’s office.

“La Liga vehemently condemns the incidents at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains firm in its commitment to eradicate any kind of racist behaviour and hatred inside and outside stadiums.”

Real Madrid earlier said they had opened an investigation to identify the fans.

A club statement read: “Real Madrid strongly condemns any kind of behaviour involving racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults that a few fans uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium.

“Real Madrid has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable insults so that the appropriate disciplinary and judicial measures can be taken.”

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga have taken steps to tackle an increase in racist abuse by introducing measures including partial stadium closures.

Last week four people were arrested over allegedly conducting an online campaign of hate and racism against Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.

The campaign encouraged supporters to racially abuse the 24-year-old Brazilian, asking them to wear black face masks to avoid being identified, police said.

Three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison in June for abusing Vinicius at a match in May 2023.

Real were looking to extend their run of unbeaten games to 43 in the league, which would have equalled the record set by Barcelona between April 2017 and May 2018.

But their hopes of doing that were quashed by a devastating second-half display by their opponents.

After a goalless first half, Lewandowski broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a clinical finish from Marc Casado’s through ball.

The Poland striker then stunned the hosts with a second, heading Alejandro Balde’s cross into the right corner.

Lewandowski had two good chances to complete a hat-trick, hitting the woodwork from the first before firing over from a good position.

Spanish teenage star Lamine Yamal, 17, got Barcelona’s third when he drove into the top corner from an angle, with his goal making him the youngest-ever scorer in El Clasico.

Raphinha then lobbed a fourth late on for his first goal against Real Madrid.

The result ensured Kylian Mbappe’s first taste of the famous fixture ended in defeat with the France striker having had two goals disallowed for offside and also been denied by Inaki Pena in the Barcelona goal.

Raphina opener the scoring inside the first minute after latching on to a ball over the top and rounding goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

England captain Harry Kane equalised for the visitors by volleying in Serge Gnabry’s cross at the back post in the 18th minute.

But Barcelona continued to punish Bayern’s ineffective high line with Fermin Lopez sent through and poking the ball past Neuer to set Robert Lewandowski up for the host’s second 18 minutes later.

On the stroke of half-time captain for the night Raphinha made it 3-1 with a fabulous curling finish from the edge of the box.

And shortly after the restart he completed his hat-trick, latching on to another long ball and firing a shot into the far corner.

It would be the first time a La Liga match has been played in the United States.

Fifa, football’s world governing body, will make the final decision on the proposal.

The match is currently scheduled for 22 December, before La Liga pauses for its winter break.

Both Atletico and Barcelona are scheduled to play in a four-team Spanish Super Cup in early January, which is being held in Saudi Arabia.

In April, Fifa withdrew from a legal challenge by leading match promoter Relevent, which is seeking to stage overseas league matches in the United States.

The following month, Fifa announced it was setting up a working group to look at the potential impact of competitive domestic matches being played abroad.​​​​​​​

La Liga president Javier Tebas has spoken of his desire to take La Liga games to other countries.

Barcelona planned to stage a league match against Girona in Miami in January 2019, but the idea was scrapped in the face of opposition from Spain’s football association and its players’ union.

League sources say there is still work to do on the plan but they are hopeful of receiving approval to proceed.

The Premier League has previously said it has no plans to play games overseas.

Lewandowski, 36, took his tally to 14 goals in 12 games in all competitions – and 10 in his past six – as Hansi Flick’s side produced an emphatic response to Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Barcelona, who have won nine of their opening 10 league games, led 3-0 at half-time for the third match in a row after Lewandowski scored either side of Pedri’s spectacular first-time strike.

Lewandowski tucked his 24th-minute penalty into the bottom corner after Raphinha went down under minimal contact from Peque Fernandez.

Pedri smashed in from the edge of the box just four minutes later, before Lewandowski – moments earlier denied at close range by Orjan Nyland – added his second by meeting Raphinha’s pass.

Poland striker Lewandowski is now the joint-third highest scorer of all time across Europe’s top-five leagues, level with Jimmy Greaves on 366 and behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (495) and Lionel Messi (496).

Pablo Torre scored twice late on, either side of Stanis Idumbo’s consolation for the visitors, who were no match for a free-flowing, youthful Barcelona, for whom half the starting outfield players were aged 21 or under.

Substitute Torre, 21, scored a deflected fourth and added his second from a direct free-kick after Idumbo got in behind the Barcelona defence to score with Sevilla’s only shot on target.

There was more than the goals for the home crowd to celebrate at the Olympic Stadium – Barcelona’s temporary home during the Nou Camp renovation – as the returning Gavi received a warm reception 11 months after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Flick’s side followed their first defeat of the season against Osasuna by beating Young Boys 5-0 in the Champions League and Alaves 3-0 in La Liga before the October international break.

Barcelona now face two huge games next week, when they host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before visiting title rivals Real on Saturday.

Iniesta is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, thanks in part to the midfield partnerships he formed with Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets for Spain and Barcelona.

He earned 131 caps for his country, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 Fifa World Cup final and winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

“I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it,” he said.

“Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride.

“They are not tears of sadness. They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice, of never giving up, essential values in my life.”

Iniesta spent the majority of his 22-year career at Barcelona after graduating from the club’s La Masia academy.

He made his senior debut in 2002 and went on to win 29 honours, including nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues crowns.

In 2018 Iniesta joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2023 to play for UAE Pro League side Emirates.

He was runner-up in the 2010 Ballon d’Or and included in the Fifa Fifpro World 11 for nine successive years between 2009 and 2017.

Real Madrid’s home victory over Villarreal on Saturday evening had temporarily moved them level with Hansi Flick’s side.

However, the visitors – who suffered a shock defeat by Osasuna last weekend – always looked in control after Lewandowski nodded them in front early on from Raphinha’s curling delivery.

The 36-year-old’s second, a close-range finish, came after more good work from the Brazilian.

And his and Barca’s third came as he reversed a shot past home goalkeeper Antonio Sivera from Eric Garcia’s pass.

The Poland forward has now scored 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions for Barca, who are averaging over three goals a game in the Spanish top flight this term.

“I had some good passes and they made it easier for me to score,” Lewandowski said on DAZN.

“We played well from the first minute and we wanted to attack and score goals. We were more in control in the second half.

“We have a very good group. I think we can play better but we have improved all the things we lacked.”

The hosts, who threatened sporadically, thought they had pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time but Toni Martinez’s goal was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Former Poland international Szczesny, 34, announced his retirement on 27 August after his contract with Juventus was terminated.

Barca lost first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a serious knee injury in their 5-1 win against Villarreal last month.

Szczesny made 181 appearances for Arsenal after joining as a 16-year-old and also spent time at Brentford, Roma and Juventus.

He joined Juventus in 2017 and made 252 appearances across seven years in Turin, winning three Serie A titles and three Coppas Italia.

The Warsaw-born player won 84 caps for Poland, playing at four European Championships and two World Cups.

When he announced his retirement Szczesny said: “Today, though my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there any more. I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family.”

Szczesny could make his debut against Alaves in La Liga on Sunday.

Barcelona suffered a 4-2 defeat by Osasuna on Saturday but remain top of the table with seven wins from eight games.

On Tuesday Hansi Flick’s side beat Young Boys 5-0 in the Champions League.

Lewandowski struck after eight minutes for the hosts, poking home Raphinha’s ball across the box at the back post.

Barca doubled their lead as Brazil forward Raphinha netted the rebound from Pedri’s blocked shot.

The La Liga leaders continued to dominate as Inigo Martinez added another goal three minutes later, heading in from close range after Pedri’s pinpoint free-kick.

Six minutes into the second half Barca found the back of the net once more, with Martinez’s header back across goal prodded in by Lewandowski.

Joel Monteiro’s strike hit the crossbar in the away side’s best chance of the match.

Young Boys’ misery was compounded in the 81st minute when Mohamed Ali Camara turned Alejandro Balde’s cross into his own net.

Monteiro thought he had a goal back for Young Boys in stoppage time but his low finish was ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee (VAR) check.

The Swiss champions remain winless after losing 3-0 to Aston Villa in their opener.

The Croatia striker ghosted in behind the Barca defence to head home Bryan Zaragoza’s cross from close range after 18 minutes.

Zaragoza increased Osasuna’s lead, running clear through on goal and slotting past goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

Pau Victor got a goal back for Barca after the break with an effort that goalkeeper Sergio Herrera fumbled into his own net.

But Budimir restored Osasuna’s two-goal advantage, converting the penalty he earned when was brought down by Sergi Dominguez inside the box.

Abel Bretones extended the lead to 4-1 when he fired a fierce strike from the edge of the area into the bottom right corner with five minutes remaining.

Lamine Yamal pulled one back for Barca with a superb finish into the top corner, but it came too late as the away side.

Defeat means Barca, who had won their opening seven league matches, missed the chance to equal their best-ever start to a campaign. Real Madrid could move a point behind the leaders with victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday (20:00 BST).

Barca turn their attention to the Champions League where they will host Young Boys on Tuesday (20:00 BST), hoping to bounce back from their opening defeat against Monaco.

Uefa fined the Spanish club 10,000 euros (£8,330) for supporters’ racist behaviour during a 2-1 defeat against Monaco on 19 September.

The nature of the racist behaviour was not specified.

Barcelona were banned from selling away tickets to their supporters for one match in a Uefa competition after a Champions League quarter-final at Paris St-Germain last season, though the punishment was suspended for one year.

Three Barcelona supporters were arrested following the match against PSG for the use of racist language and for allegedly performing Nazi salutes.

Barca will be without away fans for their trip to Belgrade on 6 November.

Hansi Flick’s side have won all seven of their La Liga matches this season and are top of the table.

Robert Lewandowski got two goals and missed a penalty, Raphinha grabbed a double and Pablo Torre also scored as Hansi Flick’s side made it six league wins from six.

However, Ter Stegen’s injury near the end of the first half was a worrying development for Barca.

The 32-year-old Germany international and Barcelona captain was hurt when his right knee buckled as he landed while catching the ball and he was then carried off the pitch, holding his hands over his face as he left the field.

He was replaced by Inaki Pena and the back-up goalkeeper played a crucial part, making an excellent save to tip over an effort from former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe when the score was 2-1.

The 26-year-old appeared to suffer muscle discomfort after scoring in Sunday’s 4-1 league win at Girona and was substituted in the 61st minute.

Olmo, who signed from RB Leipzig for €55million, missed the first two games of their season due to registration issues but has played in all three since.

He has netted three goals in those appearances, with only Robert Lewandowski netting more so far (four).

Olmo’s injury is a blow to Hansi Flick’s side as they begin their Champions League campaign against Monaco on Thursday, having already made a perfect start to LaLiga, with five wins from five.

The Spaniard is set to miss at least six games up to the October international break.

The 17-year-old Spain winger opened the scoring in the 30th minute after dispossessing David Lopez deep in his own half before lifting the ball beyond goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Yamal scored a second seven minutes later with a composed, first-time finish from the edge of the box after Raphinha’s free-kick rebounded to him.

Girona, who finished third last season, thought they had been awarded a penalty after Bryan Gil’s header struck the arm of Inigo Martinez but the decision was reversed after a video assistant referee review.

Dani Olmo became the first player to score in his first three Barcelona league matches since Cesc Fabregas in 2011 with a fine finish from a tight angle in the 47th minute to make it 3-0.

Midfielder Pedri latched on to Marc Casado’s defence-splitting pass to slot beyond Gazzaniga to put the gloss on the performance 17 minutes later.

Substitute Cristhian Stuani scored a consolation for the home side 10 minutes from time with a first-time finish inside the penalty area.

Six minutes later, former Manchester City winger Ferran Torres, who had only been on the pitch for 17 minutes, was shown a red card for a heavy challenge on Yaser Asprilla.

Victory moved Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after their fifth consecutive win.

Hansi Flick’s side are the only team to win all four matches at the start of the campaign and moved seven points ahead of champions Real Madrid.

It was the former Leeds winger who opened the scoring in the 20th minute at the Olympic Stadium.

Striker Robert Lewandowski added a second goal just four minutes after the opener for his fourth of the season.

Valladolid kept the Catalans at bay until stoppage time in the first half, when defender Jules Kounde secured a healthy lead after prodding home from a corner.

Brazil’s Raphinha scored two in eight minutes to secure the match ball before new signing Dani Olmo added a sixth with his second goal for the club.

Substitute Ferran Torres rounded off a fantastic display from Flick’s men ahead of the international break.

Olmo rejoined Barca from RB Leipzig for a reported 60m euros (£51m) earlier this month but could not play because of the Spanish top-flight’s strict financial rules.

But after Ilkay Gundogan was released back to Manchester City, and defender Clement Lenglet moved to Atletico Madrid, the 26-year-old was able to feature at Rayo Vallecano.

And the playmaker found the winner late on, curling in left-footed after great work from fellow Spain Euro 2024 hero Lamine Yamal.

Barca top La Liga after playing three games and are the only side still with a 100% record.

Unai Lopez gave the home side an early lead which they held until the hour mark, when Pedri played a fine one-two with Raphinha and stroked in.

Olmo, who was at Barcelona as a boy but left for Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 16 without making an appearance, then stole the points and the headlines with his fantastic finish.

It was a case of try and try again for Lewandowski, who hit the post either side of half-time – first a curling effort and then a bullet header – and then saw a stinging half-volley blocked by Alex Padilla.

Padilla could do nothing to stop the winner though, where the ball fell to the Polish striker after a smart run and cross from Pedri.

After a stale opening, Lamine Yamal lit up the game with a run and 25-yard curling effort which deflected past Padilla, but the lead was cancelled out before the break after VAR ruled that Pau Cubarsi clipped the heels of Alex Berenguer in the box. Oihan Sancet sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot.

Barcelona dominated the second half and were good value for the victory which sees them share the early La Liga lead with Celta Vigo.

What you've all been waiting for…

Welcome back to City, @IlkayGuendogan pic.twitter.com/8VutEkQNRU

— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 23, 2024

The German midfielder, who was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at the club in 2016, spent seven years at City before joining Barcelona on a free transfer in 2023.

The 33-year-old won 14 trophies in his first spell at the Etihad, scoring 60 goals in 304 appearances.

“My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” said Gundogan.

“Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player.

“Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again.”

Despite an impressive debut campaign in Spain, Barcelona decided to part with Gundogan after struggling to register new signing Dani Olmo due to the club’s financial issues.

Gundogan was one of the club’s highest earners and his departure on a free transfer will help the club comply with La Liga spending restrictions.

Capped 82 times for Germany, Gundogan announced his international retirement following the country’s Euro 2024 exit in the quarter-finals to Spain.

The 33-year-old has only been at the Catalan club for one full season after opting to leave Manchester City on a free transfer.

Despite being under contract for two more years, the Germany international has been told Barcelona will not stand in his way if he finds a suitable move.

Clubs in England, Spain and Saudi Arabia are reportedly interested in Gundogan, who made 51 appearances across all competitions last season as Barcelona finished second in La Liga.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick addressed speculation after the midfielder missed the team’s season-opening win against Valencia because of concussion on Saturday.

Flick, who previously managed Gundogan with the Germany national team, said: “I know him very well. I appreciate the player and the person he is.

“We spoke about everything, but it will stay between us. It’s not for you to know. I have a feeling he will stay.”

Flick is keen to keep Gundogan, but the situation may be influenced by the complicated financial position at Barcelona.

They have reportedly been unable yet to register new £51m signing Dani Olmo because of the Spanish league’s squad cost control rules.

Barcelona are also believed to be willing to sell striker Vitor Roque before the transfer deadline.

They recently announced the departure of captain Sergi Roberto, while full-back Julian Araujo left to join Bournemouth last week.

Former Germany boss Flick’s side were made to come from behind after Hugo Duro tapped a Diego Lopez cross past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The first half was a slow burner before Duro’s 44th-minute opener. At that point it burst into life, with Duro having an effort cleared off the line before Robert Lewandowski connected with Lamine Yamal’s drilled pass to level.

Valencia had put up a strong showing before the break, but Barcelona then showed their superiority and went ahead as veteran striker Lewandowski converted from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Raphinha was tripped inside the box.

Yamal was a constant threat and the 17-year-old’s dribbling on the wings proved tough for Valencia to handle.

Valencia caused trouble of their own with Barcelona often being sloppy in midfield, and the hosts were strong on the counter-attack.

But Flick’s men were ultimately a class above and managed the rest of the game well to nullify Valencia’s threats and collect all three points.

Barcelona, who finished 10 points behind champions Real Madrid as runners-up last season, face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, 24 August (18:00 BST) in their next La Liga game.

The 32-year-old midfielder joined the Spanish side’s famous La Masia academy aged 14 and made his first-team debut in November 2010.

He went on to make 373 appearances for Barcelona and scored 19 goals, including the winner in a memorable 6-5 win against Paris St-Germain in a Champions League last-16 tie in 2017.

Roberto, who won the last of his 11 Spain caps in 2021, was captain during the 2023-24 season and his exit has been confirmed after his contract expired at the end of June.

His trophy haul at Barcelona included two Champions Leagues, seven La Liga titles six Copa del Rey successes and two Club World Cups.

Barca said in a statement that Roberto’s “versatility has been key with spells at right-back where he played a large proportion of his matches”.

The 26-year-old returns to Barcelona in a deal worth a reported 60m euros (£51m), after playing for the Spanish club at youth level before joining Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in 2014.

Olmo has signed a six-year contract with Barcelona and has a release clause of 500m euros (£429m).

He was joint top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals as he helped Spain win the tournament for a record fourth time.

“Wherever he plays, Olmo stands out for his individual talent and his ability to link up with his teammates,” Barcelona said in a statement.

“He has a nose for goal as he showed in Euro 2024 and can score from inside and outside the penalty area.”

Olmo won two German Cups at RB Leipzig after joining them in 2020.

“A young club, a young player. We grew up, won our first trophies and made history together,” he said on X.

“Thank you RB Leipzig, you’ll forever be in my heart.”

The 18-year-old Spaniard has been given a prominent role in Chelsea’s pre-season tour after the Blues triggered a £5m release clause in his contract.

Guiu, who has scored once in four matches while on tour of the United States, rejected a new contract at Barcelona before his move to Stamford Bridge.

He denied reports in Spain that it was partly motivated by money and said: “It was not an issue with my contract.

“I’ve always dreamt of playing in the Premier League and Chelsea is a great club with a lot of history.

“It was a tough decision but it was an amazing opportunity, so I had to go for it.”

Guiu was asked whether he is ready to play in the Premier League, or if he would prefer to go on loan, and replied: “I’m just focused on the pre-season tour, doing my best and that’s what I can say.

“But [Chelsea head coach Enzo] Maresca told me there was an amazing sporting project full of young talent, that he wanted me to be a part of it and that he had a lot of faith in me and my skills and capabilities.

“I think I’m ready. We work very hard every day both on and off the pitch, on the physical aspect and the practical. So I think I’m ready to be on the pitch and help the team when I’m needed.”

Real were without England international Jude Bellingham and France forward Kylian Mbappe, with the duo missing the club’s tour of the US after playing at this summer’s European Championship in Germany for their respective countries.

In what was the first El Clasico of the season, the match at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was paused after 12 minutes because of a heavy storm.

The action resumed after a delay of more than an hour, and Barcelona took the lead just before half-time when 22-year-old forward Victor headed in from Robert Lewandowski’s ball.

Thibaut Courtois made a good save from Lewandowski before Victor got his second of the game shortly after the break to double the lead for Hansi Flick’s side.

Nico Paz headed home late on for Real Madrid but Barcelona held firm to secure the victory.

Victor’s double means he has scored three goals in Barcelona’s two games during their tour of the US, having also struck in a 2-2 draw with Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this week.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The match was suspended after 12 minutes because of a heavy storm

Ancelotti unconcerned by latest loss

The defeat was Real Madrid’s second of their US tour after losing 1-0 to Italians AC Milan last week.

They play Premier League side Chelsea on 6 August in North Carolina, but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti is not reading too much into his side’s successive losses.

Vinicius Jr looked sharp as he played his first minutes of the summer for the Spanish giants and Ancelotti said the games’ purpose was to give his players game time rather than focus on the result.

“We’re working on our preparations and the players are gradually coming back to the team. The result is not so important,” he said.

“The objective is for players to get minutes and to get them in good shape. We’re not focusing on tactical aspects. That starts on the seventh [of August].

“We’re not worried. It’s a pre-season game and we’re missing eight players.”

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Match background.

As a pre-season friendly, this match will naturally not have the same stakes and tension usually associated with ‘El Clasico’. However, bragging rights are still up for grabs, and both teams will want to leave their U.S. fans satisfied that not only did they get one over their archrivals, but point toward a strong 2024-25 campaign to come.

Real Madrid enjoyed a brilliant season in 2023-24, winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, and they have added arguably the world’s best player to their squad by signing Kylian Mbappe after the expiry of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona, meanwhile, made a mess of their title defence and flattered to deceive in European competition, which has seen German Hansi Flick replace club legend Xavi Hernandez as manager. The former Bayern Munich man will need to lean heavily on Barca’s talented but raw youngsters, as they lack the finances to bolster their squad with big-name signings.

What the teams are saying

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has fulfilled a childhood dream by signing for Los Blancos:

“Since I was a kid, I had one dream, to play here. Being here means a lot to me… Now I want to achieve another dream, being at the level of this club, the best in the world. I can say one thing: I’ll give everything for this club and this badge.”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on how his philosophy aligns with Barcelona’s:

“The philosophy they have is like mine – ball possession and really attacking football, these are the things I love. I won some titles with Bayern Munich and my hunger is really big for titles. I would like to stay on this path with Barcelona and I think we can achieve a lot together.”

Players to watch.

Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has naturally made major headlines in the football world, but Real Madrid will still be reliant on the midfield genius of Jude Bellingham, who has a unique blend of technique and physical power that sets him apart.

Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona

The Polish striker had arguably the best spell of his career when he was under the management of Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich, and both he and the new manager will be hoping to revive that magic – starting with this ‘El Clasico’ clash.

Head-to-head

In head-to-head stats, Real Madrid and Barcelona have met in 299 matches across all competitions – including friendlies and exhibition games, such as this one will be – with the Blaugrana claiming 124 wins to 111 for Los Blancos.

Yet Real enjoyed strong dominance over Barca last season, winning all three of the teams’ meetings: 2-1 (away) and 3-2 (home) in La Liga, as well as a 4-1 thrashing in Saudi Arabia in the Spanish Super Cup.

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Broadcast details

Sunday 4 August

01:00: Real Madrid v Barcelona – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport Maximo 1

Rather than their familiar blaugrana stripes, the Catalan club have decided to go with a legacy design based on the very first jerseys the team wore 125 years ago.

Barça are celebrating that special anniversary and will be doing so while wearing a kit inspired by the original half-and-half jerseys worn from when the club was founded in 1899 until 1910.

While several different explanations exist, Barcelona historians believe the most likely origin of the club’s colours is Merchant Taylor’s School in Merseyside, England. That was the school attended by Arthur Witty, who was one of the founder members of FC Barcelona and become club president in 1903.

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The main competing theory is that the colours were chosen by Witty’s fellow club founder Joan Gamper, who borrowed the colours from his beloved FC Basel.

The 125th anniversary revamp sees a return of half-and-half shirts for the first time since 2008-09 when a budding young coach by the name of Pep Guardiola guided a star-studded squad to the first LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble in Spanish football history.

Several of those icons appear in the impressive launch video for the 2024-25 home kit, with cameos from Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol, although neither play as prominent a role as fan favourite Ronaldinho.

There was also a version worn for the club’s centenary season in 1999-2000, when Louis van Gaal coached a star-studded team featuring Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Rivaldo.

There are also appearances from a clutch of contemporary stars such as Aitana Bonmati, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri and man (boy?) of the moment Lamine Yamal.

The kit is an undoubted triumph, a classy nod to the club’s history that will stand up well against the jersey of any other team they come up against next season.

Williams, 21, signed a new deal with Athletic at the end of last year but his contract includes a release clause worth around €58 million ($63m).

Barça are in excess of their annual LaLiga spending limit and are unable to register new signings, but Laporta is confident they will fix their finances soon and be able to afford players like Williams.

“Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio on Monday.

“Nico’s a player I like — I like him a lot. We are working with [new coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings. Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on.

“Shortly we will be able to announce some good news with regard to the financial [issues] and we will be back within LaLiga’s Fair Play limits. And that will allow further good news in terms of [signings].”

Williams is among the targets to strengthen the attack. His reputation has received a huge boost at the Euros this summer, where he has been one of the stars of Spain’s run to the semifinal.

He set up the winning goal against Italy, when he was named MVP, and scored and assisted in the 4-1 round-of-16 win over Georgia last week.

While in Germany, Williams and Barça duo Lamine Yamal and Pedri have regularly been asked about the possibility of them playing together at the Catalan club next season.

Both Yamal, who has struck up a close relationship with Williams while playing for Spain, and Pedri have both expressed a desire to see him make the switch to Barça.

Williams, though, has refrained from looking beyond the Euros, saying his only focus is on helping Spain win a fourth European Championship trophy this month.

The Athletic forward, whose brother, Iñaki Williams, is a club teammate, will next be in action for Spain on Tuesday when they play France in the semifinal in Munich.

Last week the Blues reached an agreement in principle to activate the £5m release clause for the 18-year-old striker.

Barcelona were believed to have attempted to remove the modest release clause from Guiu’s contract by offering an extension.

However, Chelsea have secured the signing of the Spain Under-19s forward to bolster their attacking options.

The graduate from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy scored just 23 seconds into his debut against Athletic Bilbao in 2023.

Guiu is a powerful, quick number nine but with little experience, scoring twice in his seven senior matches.

He is believed to be a signing for the first team but Enzo Maresca’s club are not ruling out bringing in further attackers this summer.

The Blues are ready to schedule a medical in London for the 18-year-old striker.

Barcelona are believed to have attempted to remove the modest release clause from Guiu’s contract by offering an extension.

However, after a week of talks with his agency, Chelsea are closing in on the signing of the Spain Under-19 international to bolster their attacking options.

The graduate from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy scored just 23 seconds into his debut against Athletic Bilbao in 2023.

Guiu is a typically powerful and quick number nine but with little experience, scoring twice in his seven senior matches so far.

He is believed to be a signing for the first team but Chelsea are not ruling out bringing in further attackers this summer.

Aston Villa’s Omari Kellyman, 18, is also set to move to Stamford Bridge for £19m on a five-year contract, with an option for a further year after completing his medical this week.

Flick, was who sacked by Germany in September 2023, takes over from Xavi, who was sacked last week.

Flick’s stint with Germany came after he guided Bayern Munich to a treble in 2020, winning the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski, 35, played under Flick at the Allianz Arena for two seasons.

Flick’s Bayern Munich completed the treble in 2020 by winning the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.

Departing Barcelona boss Xavi, who was sacked a month after the club confirmed he would stay, said his successor will “suffer” in the role.

He guided Barcelona to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup glory in his first full season in charge but this season the Catalan giants finished 10 points short of La Liga champions Real Madrid.

In a statement on Wednesday, Barcelona said it had “chosen a man well known for his teams’ high pressing, intense and daring style of play which has brought him great success at club level and international level, winning pretty much all there is to win in the world of football”.

Fermin Lopez scored the winner, running to celebrate with the departing boss, who was told on Friday he was being sacked.

Robert Lewandowski’s early goal gave the visitors the lead before Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri responded.

Barcelona were already guaranteed to finish second in La Liga, behind champions Real Madrid, while Sevilla end the season in 14th.

Former Spain midfielder Xavi said in January that he was going to leave the Nou Camp, but was persuaded to stay by club president Joan Laporta in April.

However, during a meeting with Laporta and sporting director Deco – exactly one month since it was announced that he would remain at the club – the 44-year-old was told he would not be staying.

Former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick is set to replace him.

Xavi, who won four Champions Leagues as a player with the club, guided Barcelona to their only La Liga title in the past five seasons last year.

“I don’t think the work has been appreciated enough,” said Xavi after Sunday’s game.

“A double last year [La Liga and Super Cup], and this year we haven’t been up to the task because of details.

“I leave with some mixed feelings because the work is positive even though we didn’t win the titles this season. I think we were on the right track and I still think so.”

Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen added: “Xavi has always given us a lot

“He worked every day so that we could succeed. On a personal level, he’s been a friend for many years and it’s never easy to let him go.”

Xavi said in January that he would be leaving Barca at the end of the season, yet he was convinced to remain in charge by club president Joan Laporta.

Barca have gone on to secure a second-place finish in LaLiga, yet on Friday, before their final match of the season against Sevilla on Sunday, it was confirmed Xavi would be leaving after all.

A statement released on the club’s official website read: “The president, Joan Laporta, announced this afternoon to Xavi that he will not continue as coach of the first team in the 2024-25 season.

“The meeting took place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and the sports vice-president, Rafa Yuste, and the sports director, Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco, as well as Xavi’s assistants, Oscar Hernández and Sergio Alegre, were present.

“Barcelona would like to thank Xavi for his work as a coach, which adds to an unparalleled career as a player and captain of the team, and wishes him all the luck in the world.”

Xavi has overseen 142 matches in charge of Barca, and led them to the title in 2022-23.

He has won 89 games in all competitions, giving him a win percentage of 62.7.

Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany coach, is expected to be confirmed as Xavi’s replacement.

During his time in charge, Xavi has helped blood young stars such as Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez.

The 44-year-old had announced in January that he would step down at the end of the season but was persuaded to stay by club president Joan Laporta.

However, comments by Xavi in a recent news conference appear to have angered the club’s board, who now feel the former Spain midfielder should depart.

Barcelona B team manager Rafael Marquez is favourite to take over as manager.

Before Thursday’s away win at Almeria, Xavi suggested it would be difficult to compete financially with rivals Real Madrid and other top teams in Europe.

“I think that Barca fans need to understand that the situation is really difficult, especially economically, to compete with Real Madrid in Spain and others in Europe,” he said.

“We will adapt to this. It doesn’t mean that we don’t want to fight to compete and fight for trophies. It is the situation for Barcelona at this time. We need stability and time.”

Real have already secured the La Liga title this term, are in the final of the Champions League and will sign France striker Kylian Mbappe from Paris St-Germain in the summer.

Barcelona are 14 points behind Real Madrid in the league with two games remaining.

Xavi took charge in November 2021 after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd and guided Barca to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022-23.

The Spanish giants exited this season’s Champions League at the quarter-final stage following defeat by PSG.

Ilkay Gundogan raced forward before finding Yamal, 16, in the box, where he coolly slotted beyond Alex Remiro into the bottom corner.

Sheraldo Becker spurned a golden opportunity to give the visitors the lead after just five minutes as he blasted over the bar from a tight angle.

Brazil winger Raphinha converted a penalty in injury time to make sure of the points after handball was given against Alvaro Odriozola.

Raphinha tried his luck from range but the former Leeds winger could only strike the bottom of the post with Gundogan unable to convert the rebound.

Sociedad goalkeeper Remiro produced a wonderful save from Raphinha with his curling shot destined for the top corner.

Xavi’s side now sit second, 14 points behind champions Real Madrid, and one point clear of Girona with three games remaining.

Imanol Alguacil’s men remain one point adrift of Real Betis, who currently occupy the Europa Conference League spot.

Andreas Christensen opened the scoring in stunning fashion inside three minutes for Barcelona, but Artem Dovbyk hit back just 68 seconds later.

It is Dovbyk’s 20th goal in La Liga this season and puts him two clear of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in the race for the Pichichi Trophy awarded to the top scorer.

Barcelona twice went close to restoring their lead with Christensen seeing a header clawed off the line by goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, before Ilkay Gundogan hit the crossbar.

The pressure finally told in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Robert Lewandowski coolly dispatched from the penalty spot after Yamal was fouled.

Despite failing to register a shot in the opening 20 minutes of the second half and having to deal with an onslaught from Barcelona, Girona managed to find a way to turn the game on its head with three goals in quick succession.

They equalised for a second time in the 65th minute when Dovbyk pounced on a loose backpass before squaring for substitute Portu to score with his first touch from close range.

Just two minutes later Girona took the lead for the first time when former Real Madrid defender Miguel Gutierrez’s shot bobbled over the line with the help of a major deflection.

Portu grabbed Girona’s fourth in the 75th minute, meeting a crossfield ball on the full and exquisitely volleying beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Defeat for Barcelona means Real Madrid, who beat Cadiz 3-0 earlier on Saturday, have been crowned La Liga champions for the 36th time.

Girona are enjoying just their fourth campaign in the Spanish top flight and have exceeded all expectations to make history.

Michel’s side will play in Europe for the first time next season with a spot in the Champions League now guaranteed.

The hosts, who are on the cusp of relinquishing the La Liga title to Real Madrid despite the victory, took the lead when Fermin Lopez struck.

Hudo Duro soon levelled then Pepelu’s penalty gave Valencia the lead.

But they had Mamardashvili sent off just before half-time and the 35-year-old Poland striker took full advantage.

Lewandowski equalised early in the second half with a header then nodded in a rebound before getting his third from a free-kick in added time.

Barcelona remain second in La Liga, 11 points behind Real Madrid with five games remaining.

Valencia stay eighth and face a battle to qualify for Europe next season as they lie four points behind sixth-place Real Sociedad.

Teenager Yamal thought he had put Barcelona 3-2 ahead at the Bernabeu but Real keeper Andriy Lunin, who was behind the goalline, clawed the ball away.

The visitors were adamant the ball had crossed the line but the referee ruled it had not and with no goalline technology in La Liga, the video assistant referee (VAR) could not prove it.

Barca went on to lose the match 3-2 after Jude Bellingham scored the winner in the first minute of added time.

Laporta says the club will request the audio and video footage from the Technical Refereeing Committee at the Spanish FA to determine whether the goal should have stood.

“If, once this documentation has been analysed, the club understands that an error was made in the revision of the incident, we will take all available measures to reverse the situation, without discounting, obviously, any necessary legal action,” said Laporta.

He added that if their analysis confirms it was a legal goal, the club “do not discount requesting that the game to be replayed, just as has happened in another game in Europe due to a VAR error”.

A Belgian Pro League match between Anderlecht and Genk was replayed in full because of a VAR mistake.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp called for his side’s Premier League match against Tottenham to be replayed after Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly disallowed earlier this season.

“We understand the difficulty faced by officials, but it is for that reason that such tools exist (like VAR) to help the competition be fairer and not the other way around,” said Laporta.

Barcelona boss Xavi said it is “a disgrace” that goalline technology is in use in other countries, like the Premier League in England, but is not available in La Liga with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen saying it is “shameful for football”.

Andres Christensen had scored the opener for Barcelona but a Vinicius Jr penalty levelled before half-time.

Fermin Lopez made it 2-1 to Barca before Lucas Vazquez equalised.

Real Madrid are top of La Liga, 11 points clear of Barcelona in second.

A “disaster performance” from the referee, “panic” from Barcelona’s players and “an unnecessary expulsion” were all blamed on a dramatic Tuesday evening at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys as Paris St-Germain ran out 4-1 winners.

Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo’s sending off turned the tide in their Champions League quarter-final as PSG came from 3-2 down in the first leg to win the tie 6-4 on aggregate.

A double from Kylian Mbappe, a long-range strike from Vitinha and an Ousmane Dembele goal against his former club sent Barcelona spiralling out of control – and out of the competition.

As Barcelona turned in a performance riddled with mistakes, referee Istvan Kovacs had a busy evening. The Romanian showed three red cards to the hosts – manager Xavi’s frustrations getting the better of him, before a member of his coaching staff was dismissed for dissent. That only compounded the damage done by Araujo’s red-card inducing challenge on Bradley Barcola early in the first half.

“The referee was really bad. I told him his performance was a disaster. I don’t like to talk about referees, but it had a clear impact in the season and it has to be said,” Xavi told Movistar Plus.

“We are very upset and angry because the red card was the decisive factor in the match. With 11, we were in a good position, playing well and in command.

“It’s too much to flash a red card in a game like this. There was another game after that… It is a pity that the work of the season was ruined by an unnecessary expulsion.”

Araujo’s early exit allowed PSG to build momentum. The goals flowed; Barcelona collapsed. Joao Cancelo needlessly brought down Dembele in the box, allowing Mbappe to score the first of his two goals from the penalty spot.

“You can’t make mistakes in the Champions League,” former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry told CBS.

“If you make mistakes, you pay the price straight away and that’s why it is so hard to win that competition because you cannot make one mistake.”

‘You cannot win when you panic’

Having left Paris with a 3-2 victory, Barcelona got off to the perfect start in their second leg when Raphinha deflected in teenager Lamine Yamal’s cross.

But Barcelona’s lead did not last long and PSG took control in the second half as the cards came from Kovacs.

“It is a shame that all the work of a season, because of a refereeing decision, finishes here,” Xavi told CBS.

“I would have liked to have played 11 v 11 against Luis Enrique and against PSG [for] all the minutes of the game. We know that there are sendings off in football but I believe that this one [for Araujo] was unnecessary.”

There were a total of 12 cards shown on the night to add to the five goals, a penalty and Ilkay Gundogan’s strike which clipped the woodwork in the second half.

But ex-striker Henry thinks the chaos was all Barcelona’s own making.

“Barcelona deserved to go down to 10 men. That penalty was a penalty. That doesn’t mean you have to concede those goals,” he added.

“The goals they conceded weren’t because they were playing with 10 men. It was because they started to panic. You cannot win any title or be champions when you panic. I don’t care who you are.

“You cannot panic in difficult situations because it will creep up on you, it will creep up on the team in the stadium and the next thing you know, the momentum goes to Paris St-Germain. Then they find themselves out of the competition.”

At full-time, Barcelona supporters were in tears in the stands. Players fell to their knees on the pitch and manager Xavi came down from a box in the stadium to console his team.

Mbappe led Paris St-Germain celebrations in front of the away fans. They have a place in the semi-finals to look forward to for a fourth time.

The France international kept his cool with a second-half penalty and then tucked in a last-gasp rebound as Luis Enrique’s French champions overturned a 3-2 home reversal to progress 6-4 on aggregate.

Barcelona had made the perfect start as Raphinha followed up his two-goal display in Paris last week with a close-range opener on 12 minutes after bewitching play from Lamine Yamal down the right.

The hosts were good value for their two-goal cushion in the tie overall, but their evening took a turn for the worse on the half hour when Ronald Araujo was shown a straight red for bringing down Bradley Barcola.

PSG took advantage of the lifeline as Ousmane Dembele once again netted against his former club to level matters on the night five minutes prior to the interval.

It was one-way traffic following the break and after Vitinha’s excellent 25-yard drive moved PSG ahead on the night, Mbappe put them in charge of the tie with a clinical spot kick just past the hour.

The 25-year-old then took his tally to 41 for the season to polish off a late counter attack and set up a last-four clash with Borussia Dortmund.

PSG, who lost 3-2 to Barcelona in Paris last Wednesday, were last in the semi-finals three years ago.

“PSG have never come back to win after losing a first leg, but [Tuesday] is the day,” said Luis Enrique.

“We have a very united group of players, in which there are no egos.”

Enrique won the Treble in 2014-15, one of his three seasons as Barcelona manager.

He was also in charge when the Spanish champions beat PSG 6-1 to overturn a 4-0 first-leg defeat in the last 16 in 2017.

Five-time winners Barcelona are aiming to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in five years.

“We’re not a team that will sit on our lead, we want to take the ball off PSG and win the game,” said manager Xavi.

“It’s the Champions League, it’s Paris, and a game in which no one will be holding back.”

Barcelona will be without Andreas Christensen and Sergio Roberto who are both suspended.

PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi could return after being suspended from the first leg.

MATCH STATS

Head-to-head

• Paris St-Germain have played Barcelona (14 times) more than any other opponent in European competitions. PSG’s record against the Spanish champions is W4, D4, L6.
• There have been 127 occasions when a team suffered a 3-2 home defeat in the first leg of a two-legged Uefa European knockout tie. Only six have ever recovered to progress.
• Xavi and Luis Enrique were teammates for Barcelona and Spain. Luis Enrique’s first season as Barca manager was Xavi’s final campaign at the club as a player (2014/15), with the club winning the treble of Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey.

Barcelona

• Barcelona progressed from only two of their past seven Champions League quarter-finals: 5-1 on aggregate for Luis Enrique’s Barca versus PSG in 2014/15 and 4-0 on aggregate versus Manchester United in 2018/19.
• Barcelona lost the home leg in only one of their 17 two-legged Champions League quarter-finals (W12-D4-L1), a 2-1 defeat after extra time against Juventus in the 2002/03 second leg (the Barca goal was scored by Xavi).
• Barcelona progressed from all 11 Champions League knockout ties they recorded an away win in the first leg.

Paris St-Germain

• PSG (three) are one short of matching Monaco (four) as the French club to make the most Champions League semi-final appearances.
• PSG have not been eliminated from a Champions League quarter-final since a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Manchester City in 2015/16.
• PSG progressed from three of their seven Champions League quarter-finals, including their past two: 2-1 versus Atalanta and on away goals versus Bayern Munich in 2020/21.

And, none more so than Barcelona’s trip to Paris St-Germain as the five-time winners came from behind to earn a 3-2 victory before next Tuesday’s second leg.

Former Leeds winger Raphinha shone in Paris, as Kylian Mbappe failed to impress.

There were also some record-breaking teenagers in Barcelona’s side, who showed brilliant resolve in the face of a hostile Parisian crowd when they were trailing.

‘First-class’ Raphinha delivers

Brazil winger Raphinha had never scored in the Champions League before Wednesday’s tie in Paris, but you wouldn’t have known it with the quality of his finishes.

For his opener, he capitalised on a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma to sweep home a loose ball.

His second, which pulled Barcelona back level, showed superb skill as he watched Pedri’s clipped pass come over his shoulder before he volleyed home with the outside of his left foot.

“I thought Raphinha was first class,” said 2007 Champions League runner-up Peter Crouch on TNT Sports. “There was so much to admire technically about his second goal.”

Barcelona boss Xavi told TNT Sports: “Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski made the difference and Pedri helped us a lot. I’m very happy and very proud of the team.”

The 27-year-old was a danger throughout and had the most shots (six), shots on target (four) and touches in the opposition box (six) for Barcelona.

He won man of the match and told Uefa.com: “These last few weeks, we’ve been working very hard in training. To come here and to return home with a win is pretty positive I’d say. Winning is important, but this tie is nowhere near finished.”

‘Mbappe can’t be as bad again?’

On the opposite side was Mbappe. A World Cup winner and runner-up with France, who was third in last year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Champions League is one trophy that has so far deserted the 25-year-old, though.

This season represents his final chance to win the trophy for PSG too, with the forward set to leave and join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

His cut-back from the byeline enabled PSG to equalise after a poor clearance, but he was, on the whole, well-handled by the Barcelona defence.

He was restricted to just three shots, none of which were on target, and had the fewest touches of any outfield PSG player to play the full game (44).

“The best player in the world, Kylian Mbappe, didn’t perform today and when he doesn’t perform then invariably PSG don’t perform,” said 2008 Champions League winner Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports.

“He can’t be as bad again [in the second leg]. There is no concern about him freezing on the big stage, it is normally when he comes alive. If he decides to turn it on, then he is the guy that can take them through.”

Ferdinand added that PSG will have to show a “much better version of themselves” in next Tuesday’s second leg, but there is “more in the tank”.

Barca youngsters break Champions League records

Barcelona’s side has some experienced heads in 35-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski and 33-year-old Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan but there is plenty of youth too.

They made history with Spanish winger Lamine Yamal (16 years and 272 days) and defender Pau Cubarsi (17 years and 79 days) becoming the youngest players to feature in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Defenders Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are both 25, while 21-year-old Pedri was joined by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez off the bench.

They could have easily been overawed by the barrage of PSG pressure their side were under when they were introduced but they turned the game on its head.

“The young kids were tremendous,” said Ferdinand.

“They were carried at times by the experience but sometimes you need that fearless of Cubarsi and Yamal.

“If you think what we were doing at 16 or 17 there was no way we could have gone in and performed at that level, with that kind of energy, aura and chest out to say ‘I’m meant to be here’.”

Xavi said the club have to be “proud” of their youngsters, adding: “They have more commitment with the team. I’m happy because it’s a new Barca but we’re in a good way.”

Barcelona are playing at this stage of the tournament for the first time since 2020 and have only reached the last four in one of their past five attempts.

They might need the know-how of the experienced players and fearlessness of youth to make it two from six next week.

Xavi’s side were in danger of being overawed by a hostile Parisian crowd but the Barcelona boss used his bench to magnificent effect to turn the tie in their favour.

Brazil winger Raphinha gave them the lead, sweeping home a loose ball for his first Champions League goal after Gianluigi Donnarumma could only parry a low cross.

PSG responded immediately after the break though, with Ousmane Dembele firing into the roof of the net after a poor clearance and Vitinha finding the far corner after being fed in down the right.

Substitute Bradley Barcola then hit the bar for the hosts as they swarmed all over a Barcelona side playing at this stage of the competition for the first time since 2020.

Spain midfielder Pedri was introduced and his impact was immediate with a delightful ball over the PSG defence superbly volleyed home by Raphinha with the outside of his right foot.

Dembele clipped the outside of the post as both sides pressed, but it was Barcelona sub Andreas Christensen who found the winner, heading home a corner from four yards after being left unmarked in the centre of the goal.

The second leg takes place in Spain on Tuesday, 16 April.

With El Clasico still to come, Madrid cannot afford to slip up when they face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

Barcelona dominated the game and had 69% possession against Las Palmas but struggled to find a breakthrough until Raphinha’s 59th-minute winner, assisted by substitute Joao Felix.

Barcelona were aided by a red card for Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles who was sent off following a foul outside the box on a surging Raphinha.

The hosts hit the bar through Robert Lewandowski before the introduction of Joao Felix gave them extra impetus.

The Portuguese star provided a chipped assist for Raphinha’s headed goal before hitting the bar himself.

The forward rounded off a neat passing move in the 38th minute, just before manager Xavi was sent off for dissent.

Robert Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s lead before Fermin Lopez sealed the success in the 65th minute when heading in from close range.

Barcelona moved above Girona into second place with Atletico fifth.

Hosts Atletico started strongly but were guilty of being wasteful as Alvaro Morata spurned two good opportunities, prior to Felix – who also scored in Barcelona’s 1-0 win against Atletico in December’s reverse fixture – breaking the deadlock.

The Portugal forward, who joined Barca on loan at the start of the season from Atleti, prodded home to put the visitors in command.

Atletico’s midweek Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Inter Milan, which they won after extra time and penalties, appeared to have taken a toll in the second half as their energy levels dropped.

Lewandowski was clinical with his chance just two minutes into the second half, firing off the inside of the post. Lopez was then in acres of space when he met a floated cross from the Polish striker to give the defending league champions – who are eight points behind leaders Real Madrid – breathing space.

Argentine defender Nahuel Molina was shown a red card in stoppage time for a foul on Barcelona forward Vitor Roque as he raced clear on goal.

It was the first time Diego Simeone’s side have lost a league fixture at Wanda Metropolitano since January 2023 when Barcelona won 1-0.

Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo put Barcelona on their way at Estadi de Montjuic, but the hosts were made to work hard by the Italian side who pulled one back through Amir Rrahmani.

A back-and-forth encounter was eventually settled by Poland striker Robert Lewandowski’s close-range finish with seven minutes of normal time remaining.

Following a brisk opening, Barcelona landed a mighty one-two punch on Napoli with two goals in three minutes.

First, 20-year-old midfielder Lopez took his chance to impress on the big stage as he stroked home a side-footed finish on 15 minutes after Lewandowski dummied Raphinha’s low cross.

Former Leeds winger Raphinha was also at the centre of Barcelona’s second, leading a counter-attack and curling a shot off the post before Manchester City loanee Cancelo scored from the rebound.

Barcelona however ceded momentum, and Napoli pulled one back on the half-hour when Kosovan centre-back Rrahmani ventured forward to slot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen following a cutback from the right.

Napoli pushed hard for an equaliser and missed their best chance with 10 minutes remaining as Jesper Lindstrom sent a free header wide from seven yards.

But they eventually came up short as Barcelona sealed a win for the first time in five Champions League knockout ties when Lewandowski tapped home after being set up by slick play from Sergi Roberto.