Etoile Lavalloise 0-7 Barça: Heavy win to keep all options open

The Barça futsal team now has its 2024 Final Four destiny in its hands. Jesús Velasco's side heavy defeat of Etoile Lavalloise in the second Elite Round game (0-7) means every passage to the final phase of the Champions League is available after the opening draw against Città di Eboli. Hat-tricks by Pito and Adolfo, and final goal by Matheus, earned the three points.

Goals finally fly in

Barça dominated the first half, but there weren't as many chances as in the previous game against Città di Eboli. However, the blaugranes were more effective today, going in 0-2 at the break.

It wasn't that simple for Jesús Velasco's side as the French side were well-disciplined, pressing high, with quality attacking players. In fact, Dídac Plana saved early on to keep it 0-0 (min 4) and just before half-time with the score 0-2.

Pito and Adolfo got the ball rolling in terms of goals. The Brazilian missed the first match due to suspension and made the most of a poor clearance to powerfully shoot in (0-1, min 5). Adolfo later scored at the back post after a Dyego cross (0-2, min 13).

Resounding win

The third goal came just after the restart, with wonderful play by Touré finished by Pito (0-3, min 21), leaving Etoile Lavalloise no time to get into the game.

The game was blaugrana from then on, Pito completed his hat-trick (0-4, min 30), as did Adolfo with two more goals in the second half (0-5, min 33; 0-6, min 34). Matheus finally completed the scoring for 0-7 (min 38).

So, Barça will have to wait to see the result of the Città di Eboli v Riga game. What is sure is that a win against Ricardinho's Riga side on Saturday will mean only two wins for the Italian side and a better goal difference would leave Barça out of the Final Four.

GAME STATS

Etoile Lavalloise, 0
Barça, 7

Etoile Lavalloise: Marquet, Guirio, Mouhoudine, El Mesrar, A. Mohammed - starting five - Kaique Souza, Bakkali, Diego Napoles, Brioua, Ferreira, Lutin.

Barça: Dídac, A. Coelho, Dyego, Catela, Pito - starting five - Erick, Adolfo, Touré, Matheus, Antonio, Aniol.

Goals: 0-1, Pito (min 5). 0-2, Adolfo (min 13). 0-3, Pito (min 21). 0-4, Pito (min 30). 0-5, Adolfo (min 33). 0-6, Adolfo (min 34). 0-7, Matheus (min 38). 

Referees: Ademir Avdic, Vedran Babic. Yellow card for El Mesrar from Etoile, and Dyego from Barça.