The return leg of the Champions League round of 16 saw Napoli walk away with their heads held high against Barcelona; a 3-1 defeat ending the Azzurri’s European journey and hopes of the 2025 World Cup. Despite a draw in the first leg at the Maradona, Napoli were unable to overcome Barcelona at Montjuic Park.
A bad start for Napoli
Barça immediately took the lead with two quick goals between the 15th and 17th minutes. Fermin opened the scoring with a low shot that beat the goalkeeper at the first post and, shortly afterwards, Cancelo doubled the lead, replaying a Raphinha shot that had hit the post.
Napoli reduced the gap with a goal from Rrahmani on the half-hour mark, but despite constant pressure in the first 20 minutes of the second half, Calzona’s men were unable to equalise the match
Lindstrom had a golden opportunity to level the score in the 80th minute with a header that could have changed the game’s fortunes, but three minutes later, Lewandowski sealed any talk of qualification by scoring the third goal on an empty goal.
In the final, Olivera hit the crossbar for a last-ditch effort that underlined the generosity but also the inaccuracy of the Azzurri.
Napoli out of the Club World Cup
With this victory, Barça advanced to the quarter-finals, while Napoli had to accept a bitter farewell to the competition they had dreamed of winning.
The match highlighted the quality and efficiency of Barcelona and, at the same time, exposed the vulnerabilities of Napoli, who will now have to reflect on this experience to build a stronger future in Europe.
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