Barcelona closed the UEFA Champions League league phase with a strong 4-1 win over FC Copenhagen at Camp Nou on January 28, 2026. Hansi Flick’s team finished fifth on 16 points, which was enough for automatic qualification to the round of 16 and no playoff. It got tense early, but Barcelona’s attack took control after the break and turned the night into a statement.
A Rough Opening for Barcelona
Barcelona couldn’t have started much worse. After just four minutes, Copenhagen punished a mistake at the back. A sharp through ball split the defense and beat the offside line. Seventeen-year-old Icelandic striker Viktor Dadason ran through on goal and calmly finished past Joan Garcia to make it 1-0.
The early goal changed the mood inside Camp Nou. Barcelona had most of the ball, but Copenhagen stayed compact and hard to break down. Robert Lewandowski failed to score from close range after a defensive slip, and Eric García came close with a long-range hit that crashed off the crossbar. Copenhagen held on through a frustrating first half for the hosts.
Barcelona Turn It Around After Halftime
Barcelona’s response came quickly in the second half. In the 48th minute, Lamine Yamal made the difference. He took Dani Olmo’s pass and played a perfect outside-of-the-boot ball for Lewandowski, who swept it in to level the match at 1-1. It was Lewandowski’s 106th Champions League goal, and it lifted the whole stadium.
The home side pushed harder and got the lead in 60 minutes. Fermín López slipped Yamal the ball, and the winger fired from the edge of the box. The shot took a heavy deflection, looped over Dominik Kotarski, and dropped in for 2-1.
Barcelona then opened the game up. In the 69th minute, Yamal sent in a clipped cross that found Lewandowski in the area. A Copenhagen defender brought him down, and the referee pointed to the spot. Raphinha took the penalty and rolled it low into the corner for 3-1, his first Champions League goal of the season.
Rashford Adds a Late Free-Kick Finish
Substitute Marcus Rashford put the result beyond doubt late on. In the 85th minute, Barcelona won a free kick near the edge of the box. Rashford bent it over the wall and into the bottom left corner, with Kotarski rooted. The goal made it 4-1 and capped a dominant second half.
Copenhagen thought they had a late consolation, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Barcelona kept their goal difference intact as the final standings settled.
Barcelona Match Snapshot
Barcelona showed depth in attack and looked sharper once the equalizer arrived.
- Key players: Lamine Yamal (goal, assist), Robert Lewandowski (goal), Raphinha (penalty), Marcus Rashford (free-kick goal)
- Setup: A 4-3-3 look, with much higher pressure after halftime
- The moment that changed the game: Yamal’s assist to spark the comeback
Copenhagen Match Snapshot
Copenhagen struck first and defended well for a while, but they couldn’t handle Barcelona’s tempo after the break.
- Key players: Viktor Dadason (early goal), Mohamed Elyounoussi (involved in the move before the opener)
- Setup: Deep block with counter-attacks
- Best moment: Dadason’s early finish to silence Camp Nou
The loss knocked Copenhagen out of Europe, while Barcelona moved into the Champions League knockout stage with confidence. Flick’s side saved their best for when it mattered most in the new format.
