FOOTBALL/ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: PORTO-BARCELONA (0-1)

A goal from Ferran Torres before half-time gave Barça a valuable 0-1 win at Porto on yesterday evening on the second day of the Champions League group stage. The team-mates of Robert Lewandowski, who went off injured in the first half, were made to suffer but followed up with another win, two weeks after their comprehensive victory over Antwerp.

FC Barcelona are getting to grips with the 2023-2024 Champions League. After two successive campaigns without qualifying for the last 16 of Europe’s most prestigious competition, the Catalans won at FC Porto thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres (0-1). With this second win in two rounds, Xavi’s men have extended their lead at the top of Group H before facing Shakhtar Donetsk twice to further consolidate their dominance of the group. Robert Lewandowski picked up an injury and Gavi was sent off.

Robert Lewandowski’s injury following a duel with David Carmo led to the Barcelona centre-forward being replaced by Ferran Torres (34th). After an initial shot had been saved by Costa (44th), the newcomer found the net after Romario Baro had lost possession in midfield (45th, 0-1). Unrewarded after a convincing first half, FC Porto looked to respond immediately after the break.

Pascal Amstrong