Barcelona Thrash Napoli, Arsenal Edge Porto, To Qualify For 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals

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Adesina David

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Barcelona 3-1 Napoli (4-2 Agg)

Two more teams booked their place in the last 8 of the UEFA Champions League, with both match centers tonight, March 12, 2024, experiencing cracking football.

Barcelona made light work over Napoli in Catalonia, as they silenced the Neapolitans superbly.

Xavi Hernandez's side went ahead through Fermin Lopez in the 15th minute, before Joao Cancelo doubled their lead 2 minutes later.

Amir Rrahmani halved the deficit for Napoli in the 30th minute and it was looking like they could get back into the encounter, having clawed their way back from the sight of defeat in the first leg to play out a 1-1 draw with Barcelona.


Robert Lewandowski scored the culminating goal for the Spanish giants, with a simple tap-in after he was unselfishly set up by Sergi Roberto.

The Blaugrana side breezed past the Neapolitans sublimely, winning 4-2 on aggregate.

The Serie A champions didn't have enough to outwit Barcelona, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen unable to drag the side towards qualification for the quarter-finals.

Xavi Hernandez's side join Real Madrid, as the only Spanish side that have made it to the last 8, while they become the 5th side to qualify for the quarter-finals, joining Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint Germain.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have progressed to the last 8 for the first time since the 2019/20 season, when they also made it to the quarter-finals, before losing horrendously to Bayern Munich 8-2.

Arsenal 1-0 (1-1 Agg) (Penalty: 4-2) Porto

The Emirate Stadium witnessed two clubs battle hard, showing guts and determination, all to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Champions League.

Following Porto's win in the first leg at the Estadio Do Dragao, Arsenal were tasked with the responsibility of finding their way back in the tie.

Well, they did so in the 41st minute, with Leandro Trossard smashing a delightful effort to the bottom-right corner after receiving a well-delivered pass by Martin Odegaard.

The two teams fought hard throughout normal time, but none could edge their opposition in the contest.

The clash ended with both sides level at the end of normal time, despite a flurry of chances that fell to both sides.

Porto were very much resolute in defense, blocking and taming the Gunners from doubling their lead.


It was an entertaining football game, where both teams showed zest during regulation time and extra time, with penalties customarily needed to settle the affair.

Arsenal came out victorious via spot-kicks, as they displayed strength and character over Porto.

The Gunners converted all four of their penalties during the shootout, with Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice producing a cool head for Arsenal.

For Sergio Conceicao's side, Brazilian Pepe scored their first penalty, while Wendell missed the second.

Marko Grujic stepped up and converted, while Wenderson Galeno, unfortunately missed his kick during the shootout, with David Raya producing heroic saves that sent Arsenal through to the next round.
 
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