OC Barcelos 1-1 Barça: Hard-fought draw in Portugal

A point at a difficult place to go, as OC Barcelos and Barça drew this game 1-1. Edu Castro's side went ahead early on, but the home side equalised after the break in a hotly contested game with chances for both sides throughout. The draw means the blaugranes are now through to the Champions League quarterfinals, with the remaining two games a chance to seal top spot.

The blaugranes take the lead

An intense start as you would expect from two of Europe's best sides, with Barça striking first through Joao Rodrigues, who scored from a rebound after a save by the Barcelos keeper (0-1, min. 4). Pau Bargalló then hit the post to cap a frenetic couple of minutes.

The home side weren't cowed and sought out the equaliser, finding Carles Grau in good form in the blaugrana goal. More chances came, but Ignacio Alabart and Pau Bargalló couldn't finish. The visitors were in control, however, simply lacking that one clear chance to score a second.

Barcelos tie the game

Barcelos came out strongly after the break and forced an equaliser, Danilo Rampulla finishing past Carles Grau (1-1, min. 28). It could have got worse as a tenth foul gave the Portuguese side a direct free hit, but the blaugrana keeper spread himself to prevent the turnaround for the home side.

Marc Grau, Ignacio Alabart and Sergi Panadero all tried moments of individual brillance to break the deadlock again, but it wasn't to be. There was nothing to choose between the sides, with both looking for the win, albeit ultimately to no avail. This draw means Barça are through to the Champions League quarterfinals, with first place in the table up for grabs via the remaining two matchday fixtures.

GAME STATS

OC Barcelos 1
Barça 1

OC Barcelos: Conti Acevedo, Luis Querido, Danilo Rampulla, Miguel Vieira, Álvaro Morais - starting five - Dario Giménez, Santiago Chambella, Daniel Oliveira "Poka", Miguel Rocha, Bruno Ferreira

Barça: Carles Grau, Ignacio Alabart, Pau Bargalló, Xavi Barroso, Joao Rodrigues - starting five - Sergi Fernández, Sergi Panadero, Marc Grau, Sergi Llorca, Eloi Cervera

Goals: Joao Rodrigues (0-1, min. 4), Danilo Rampulla (1-1, min. 28)

Referees: Massimiliano Carmazzi and Louis Anthony Hyde. Fouls: 8-13