Yamal saves Barcelona as Brugge hold Flick’s men in six-goal Champions League thriller

Barcelona were forced to fight back three times to earn a 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in a pulsating Champions League group-stage encounter on Wednesday night. 

Despite the Spanish giants dominating possession, they were repeatedly undone by Brugge’s pace and precision on the counterattack, with teenage star Lamine Yamal rescuing Hansi Flick’s side from defeat.

The hosts struck first at the Jan Breydel Stadium, as Carlos Forbs timed his run perfectly to beat Barcelona’s high defensive line and set up Nicolo Tresoldi for a simple finish past Wojciech Szczesny. 

But the Belgian crowd’s celebrations were cut short two minutes later when Ferran Torres equalised from close range after being teed up by Fermin Lopez. 

Barcelona nearly went ahead soon after, only for Lopez to hit the post, and Brugge made them pay as Forbs and Christos Tzolis combined for the Nigerian-born winger to slot home in the 17th minute.

Barcelona pressed hard for a response after the break, with Lopez forcing a sharp save from Nordin Jackers early in the second half. 

Their persistence paid off on the hour mark when Lamine Yamal weaved through the Brugge defence, exchanged passes with Lopez, and buried a fine finish into the corner to level the score at 2-2.

However, the visitors’ joy was short-lived. Just two minutes later, the electrifying Forbs again exploited Barcelona’s fragile backline, racing clear before delicately chipping Szczesny to restore Brugge’s lead.

The 19-year-old winger’s performance left Flick’s high line in tatters, exposing Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities.

With time running out, Barcelona found another equaliser thanks to Yamal’s brilliance. The 17-year-old’s teasing cross from the right was deflected into the net by Christos Tzolis, handing the Catalans a lifeline in a match they had struggled to control. 

Despite piling on late pressure, Barcelona almost threw it away when Szczesny nearly gifted Brugge a winner in stoppage time.

Flick’s men escaped with a draw that could prove crucial in their bid for the Champions League last 16, though the coach’s tactics came under heavy scrutiny.