Nigerian midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf played a pivotal role as Royale Antwerp secured their first win in this season’s UEFA Champions League, defeating Barcelona 3-2 in the final Group game on Wednesday.

Before this clash, Antwerp had faced disappointment in all five previous group stage matches, conceding 15 goals and being out of contention for the next round.

 

However, they turned the tables with a remarkable performance.

The action-packed match saw teenager Arthur Vermeeren score for Antwerp just 90 seconds into the game, setting the tone for an intense battle.

 

Barcelona managed to equalize before half-time through Ferran Torres, but Antwerp regained the lead with Vincent Janssen finding the net after an assist from Alhassan Yusuf – his first goal involvement in the competition.

Barcelona seemed to have salvaged a point when 17-year-old Marc Guiu scored in the 91st minute, but Nigerian teenager George Ilenikhena delivered a decisive 92nd-minute winner, sealing the victory for the hosts.

The win ensured that no team in the 2023-24 group stage concluded with zero points.

Despite the defeat, Barcelona secured their spot in the next round. Joining them in the round of 16 is Porto, who claimed the second spot in Group H with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in Portugal.

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