Barcelona fought back three times to earn a dramatic 3–3 draw against Club Brugge in a pulsating Champions League encounter on Wednesday, with a late own goal by 20-year-old Belgian defender Joaquin Seys rescuing the Spanish side from defeat.
The match at Brugge’s Jan Breydel Stadium was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with blistering counter-attacks, missed chances, and last-minute drama. Barcelona, who sit 11th in the standings with seven points from four matches, remain in the race for qualification. Club Brugge, in 22nd place with four points, also kept their hopes alive.
The home fans were on their feet just six minutes in when Nicolo Tresoldi put Brugge ahead. The goal came from a lightning-fast break led by Carlos Forbs, whose pace and control carved open Barcelona’s high defensive line. The Portuguese winger surged into the box before crossing for Tresoldi, who calmly slotted past Wojciech Szczesny.
Barcelona’s response was immediate. Ferran Torres equalised just two minutes later, finishing from close range. Yet the visitors’ joy was short-lived. In the 17th minute, Forbs struck again, this time finishing off another counter-attack that punished Barca’s exposed backline.
The first half continued at breakneck speed. Jules Kounde rattled the crossbar in the 27th minute, and Torres missed a golden opportunity right before halftime.
Early in the second half, Szczesny produced a remarkable save to deny Seys from point-blank range. Moments later, Eric Garcia unleashed a thunderous long-range effort that crashed off the crossbar. But in the 60th minute, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal showed his brilliance, weaving past defenders before firing in to make it 2–2.
Brugge responded instantly—Forbs completing his brace just two minutes later with another swift counter, chipping the ball neatly over Szczesny to restore the hosts’ lead.
Barcelona’s persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute when Yamal’s cross caused chaos in the Brugge box. In his attempt to clear, Seys inadvertently headed into his own net, making it 3–3.
The drama didn’t end there. In stoppage time, Brugge’s Romeo Vermant thought he had scored the winner after pouncing on a spilled ball from Szczesny, but VAR ruled it out for a foul on the keeper.
“They have created a lot of danger on the counter-attack and we should have done much better everywhere,” said a visibly frustrated Ferran Torres. “It seemed like that with two passes they were already in our box. We have to find ways to improve. The team reacted well; we had a lot of chances. But when you’re behind… It’s tough.”
In a contest that swung wildly from one end to the other, Barcelona left Belgium relieved but aware that their defensive frailties must be fixed fast if they are to advance further in Europe.
