Barcelona vs Antwerp, summary: score, goals and highlights | UEFA Champions League 2023-24

Barcelona head coach Xavi: "This is the best we've played since I arrived"

On the performance: "I'm satisfied, happy, more so because of the performance than the result. For how we're understanding the way we want to play. I believe that in our last two matches, it's the best we've played since I arrived. This is the way to do it. There are new players who have raised our level, but what's important is how we play, how patient we are, how we press, etc. It's a pride to watch the team."

New signings: "They've worked with a coach like Guardiola. There's no need to explain anything to Gündogan about how to understand the game. He understands everything. It's a delight to watch him play. Cancelo too. They've helped us a lot. João Félix too, who has understood his role and what we ask of him. They are enjoying themselves, and that's the most important thing for the group."

On maintaining the level of performance: "Staying at the top is the key. Maintaining the level of performance, concentration, hunger, etc. The team is enjoying it. What the team lacked in attack last year, they have improved now."

Van Bommel's praise: "He told me that we have a good team, and I told him he was right."

What next for Barcelona in the Champions League?

Barcelona return to LaLiga duty on Saturday at home to Celta Vigo, while their next Champions League outing is away to Porto on Wednesday 4 October. The return game against Antwerp is scheduled for Wednesday 13 December and will be their last game in the group. 

Stay tuned for more reaction from the game and the Champions League in general across AS USA in the coming hours and days. 

Join us for two more live games tomorrow (Wednesday) as Real Madrid host Union Berlin and Bayern Munich play Manchester United. 

João Félix: "I can't do anything alone"

"We all played a great game. We're really happy about the victory."

"I'm happy and enjoying myself here. My teammates are helping me a lot, I can't do anything alone. I'm here to help the club and bring joy to everyone involved."

"The difficult part is to keeping playing at this level. We have to work to make sure that happens."

Manchester City and PSG also post Champions League victories

There were wins elsewhere for Manchester City, PSG, Feyenoord and RB Leipzig, while Milan and Newcastle couldn't be separated, much like Lazio and Atlético Madrid. 

Here are all of Tuesday's results. 

Barcelona top of Group H

Unsurprisingly, Barcelona are top of Group H, which we probably shouldn't read too much into after just one game. Porto also won against Shakhtar Donetsk tonight, although there were no further goals in the second half in Hamburg. 

Here's how that one went down. 

Barcelona's João Félix MVP?

Two goals and an assist to boot. Could it have been anyone else?

Félix already looks considerably happier than he did at Atlético Madrid. 

João Félix scores twice for Barcelona against Antwerp

João about that. I'll definitely be stealing that one. 

Full-time: Barcelona 5-0 Antwerp

10 goals in two home games without reply for Barcelona! Mini-match report on its way.

Lewandowski blazes over!

Seconds later, Koundé plays a brilliant through-ball which Lewandowski spins on superbly, only to blaze over when it looked easier to score!

Lewandowski denied a second by Butez

Butez has made a number of good saves and that's another one! Torres sets Lewandowski away and, although he's at a difficult angle, we've seen him score from there before. Not this time. 

Antwerp finishing the game as they started it, knocking the ball around neatly. If only they'd been able to do it during the 80 minutes in between...

Three minutes of injury time to be played. 

Lamine Yamal would, by the way, become the youngest scorer in Champions League history if he finds the net. Two minutes plus added time to go...

Ilenikhena has threatened in behind a few times since coming on and almost has a glimpse of goal but the ball runs just beyond him and the chance for a consolation is gone. 

Lamine Yamal becomes Barcelona's youngest Champions League player

Anybody know who the Champions League's youngest ever player is? It's a fairly recent one...

@English_AS or @RoddyCons on Twitter/X if you know!

Valencia comes on for Muja as Antwerp make their last switch. 

Yamal continues to threaten in these closing stages! He gets to the goal line and his cutback reaches Lewandowski, whose first-time striker is well kept out by Butez, who is having a busy old evening. 

Lamine Yamal misses...twice!

Antwerp have temporarily given up and Yamal has two chances to score, first hitting the side netting from Lewandowski's pass and then having a shot saved by Butez when he perhaps should've done better. 

Sergi Roberto on for Cancelo

What it says up there. Barça's final change.

Ter Stegen double save!

Ter Stegen is definitely still playing! The big German makes a superb double stop to deny first Ilenikhena and then Muja on the follow up. 

It was eventually called offside, although none of them above knew that. 

Antwerp remind us that Marc-André ter Stegen is still playing as sub Yusuf makes a rare break into the box. Christensen snuffs out the threat and the visitors' misery continues. 

Ferran curls a lovely ball forward looking for Fermín but fails to find him by a matter of centimetres, allowing Butez to claim. 

Torres curls inches wide

Ferran Torres is inches away from a sixth, curling narrowly past the post on his left peg. 

Félix on fire for Barcelona

A fine start to Barcelona life for the Portuguese whizzkid!

Lamine Yamal makes his Champions League debut

Man/boy-of-the-moment Lamine Yamal is on, as is Ferran Torres. Raphinha and Félix are next to get a break. 

Félix showed fleet-footedness to score his first goal but grabs a second with a back-post header from a Raphinha cross. 5-0 is rout territority, isn't it?

Butez denies Cancelo!

Cancelo scored against Betis on Saturday and almost scores from a similar angle there, Butez standing tall to send the ball out for a corner. 

Young López isn't hanging about. He tries one from way downtown, at least 40 yards, but it travels one yard before being blocked. 

A bright start from López, who bursts beyond Raphinha and demands the ball. His cross his headed away. 

It's 2-1 between Man City and Red Star Belgrade.

Check out all the Champions League scores.

Triple substitution for Antwerp

Ilenikhena, Yusuf and De Laet on for Ekkelenkamp, Balikwisha and Janssen.

Will it make much of a difference for Antwerp? 

EL CLÁSICO

Who is Fermín López? Barcelona youngster scores against Real Madrid in US Clásico

Fermín who? Some of you might not be familiar with López, who hit the headlines by scoring against Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in the United States in the summer. 

Here's his story. 

De Jong and Gavi replaced

Rests for de Jong and Gavi, with Romeu and youngster Fermín López coming on. 

A bit of possession for Barcelona around the edge of the box. But Koundé has had enough of the tippy-tappy stuff and decided to smash one from long-range, which flies just off target. 

Cancelo, Gündogan and Lewy all involved

Lovely link-up play once more from Cancelo and Gündogan, who sees his shot blocked, as does Lewandowski. It eventually falls to Gavi, who lashes past Butez on the run. 

Lewandowski becomes Barcelona's oldest Champions League goalscorer

They say age is only number.

Lewandowski still going strong for Barcelona (and can only benefit from playing alongside Gündogan and Félix, surely). 

Alderweireld goes close for Antwerp!

The most dangerous moment of the match for Antwerp! Alderweireld gets his head to Balikwisha's corner but doesn't get an effort on target or pick out Ekkelenkamp, who was free at the back post. 

He may have conceded three goals but there's not much Butez could've done about any of them. He makes a superb claim on Gündogan's corner to get his team out of trouble. 

Gündogan goes close!

That could have been an immediate fourth! Raphinha drives down the right flank and picks out the forward run of Gündogan, who shoots on the stretch but is denied by Butez. 

Second half underway: Barcelona vs Antwerp

Here we go again! What price on a 4-3 win for Antwerp?

Porto leading Shakhtar Donetsk in other Group H clash in Hamburg

Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk are the other teams in Group H, with the Portuguese currently leading the Ukrainians 3-1 at the break. That should theoretically be a home game for Shakhtar but is being played at Hamburg in Germany due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 

Other Champions League scores

Remember that PSG are facing Dortmund in a mouth-watering clash in Paris, while Manchester City are also in action against Red Star Belgrade. 

Here's how those games are going. 

Half time: Barcelona 3-0 Antwerp

The opening minutes of the clash in Montjuic did not suggest Barcelona would be winning by such a handsome margin by half time. Antwerp began in confident fashion, keeping possession well against their more illustrious opponents without carrying an attacking threat.

After a slightly sluggish start, the hosts hit the front with their first shot of the game,Félix drilling low past Butez after some delighting one-touch interplay between Gündogan and Lewandowski.

Barça began to dictate play after the goal and look to have put the game to bed before the half-way point of the half. Félix dinked a delightful cross in for Lewandowski to volley home at the back post before, seconds later, Raphinha’s cross was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Bataille.

Antwerp have had real bother defending against Barça’s left flank and there have been further opportunities for the LaLiga giants, with Félix and Balde constantly finding space. The visitors have had one or two promising moments but it’s a long way back for them.

Is there any way back for Antwerp against Barcelona?

Is that a silly question? UCL Barcelona looking mighty fine so far. 

Half time: Barcelona 3-0 Antwerp

Three goals in 11 minutes have done the damage for Barcelona so far!

Balde hits the side netting!

Barcelona split the Antwerp defence wide open once again, and once again, Balde gets it on the left. He opts to shoot from an angle but hits the side netting!

Muja forces save from ter Stegen!

Is the Antwerp comeback on?!

Two attacks in as many minutes and this time Muja does get a shot away. Ter Stegen has to get down sharply to keep it out. 

Better from Antwerp as they make a rare foray forward but Christensen makes a last-ditch clearance to prevent Janseen from having a sight of goal. 

Barcelona dangerous down the Antwerp right

Most of Barcelona's attacking threat is coming from their left (Antwerp's right). Balde and Félix have often found themselves in space out there and have punished the Belgians. 

Lewandowski is next to pull out the party tricks, trying to play Gavi through on goal with a cute flick. It doesn't quite reach its intended target, however, and Antwerp clear. 

As much as I was impressed (for a few minutes) of how Antwerp were keeping the ball, they're really struggling to do that now. 

A decent chance for a fourth there for Barcelona, without getting a shot away. Félix is in acres of space at the far post and has teammates unmarked in the middle, but de Jong's attempted chipped pass sails over the Portuguese's head. 

Gavi first to see yellow...

Ahem...who had 35 minutes for Gavi to be booked?

The yellowest of yellow cards as the young midfielder pulls Keita back in midfield. 

Raphinha tests Butez!

Koundé absolutely fizzes a pass into Raphinha, who somehow manages to get it under control and makes space for a shot, which is easily stopped by Butez. 

A moment of promise for the visitors and it's Muja who's involved again. He gets in behind Balde put can't pick out a teammate, of who there were a few, in the box. 

João Félix on fire!

Not content with opening the floodgates, Félix has just embarrassed Muja by nonchalantly flicking the ball over his head. He gets hacked down for his troubles but the Antwerp man avoids a booking. 

That could quite easily have been another own goal...Alderweireld sticks out a foot to stop a pass from reaching Lewandowski and it flies over his own bar. 

Thankfully for Antwerp, they seem to have shaken off conceding all those goals in quick succession...at least a little. They're still trying to play neat and tidily, although ter Stegen's gloves (boots, socks, shorts and shirt) are still clean. 

Cancelo rabona...after 24 minutes?!

Has there ever been a rabona earlier in a game than after 24 minutes? 

I'm telling you, Antwerp started this game quite well...

Raphinha cross deflected in for Barça

So unlucky for the Antwerp full-back. Raphinha attempts a cross from the left, which deflects off Bataille and ends up nestling in the net. 

Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have more UCL goals than Lewandowski

The Pole now has 92 Champions League goals. He's way behind the top two, admittedly (Messi - 129, Ronaldo 140). 

De Jong key to Lewandowski goal

De Jong initially picked Félix out with a delightful pass, the Portuguese twisted and turned and picked out Lewandowski at the back post, where the Pole volleyed home. 

Antwerp win their first corner. Vermeeren gets a foot on it at the back post and tries to direct it goalwards but Koundé gets a block in. 

Gündogan whips in a corner and it lands on Christensen's head, but the defender can't get his effort on target. 

Barcelona dominating possession

Well, that's taken the wind out of Antwerp's sails a bit. Possession has been all Barça's since the goal. 

Gündogan and Lewandowski show their class

One to look out for when you watch the highlights later. The exchange of passes between Gündogan and Lewandowski was a joy to behold!

Superb link-up play around the edge of the box, with Lewandowski and Gündogan both involved. Several one-touch passes tee up Félix, whose low drive flies past Butez!

Check out the scores from around the Champions League this evening.

Earlier Milan drew with Newcastle and Leipzig beat Young Boys.

Balde cross cut out

A moment of promise from Barça as Balde threatens to get in down the left, but his attempted cross is cut out. 

De Jong on the charge!

I've actually been more impressed with Antwerp so far but de Jong takes matters into his own hands and goes on a 40-yard driving run through the heart of the Belgians, but Félix is unable to get a shot away after receiving a pass from the Dutchman. 

Neither side have offered much of a threat in attack so far but there have been a few nice passages of play from both. They goalmouth action will come. 

Sorry, that was awfully "Real Madrid" of me...

Who had four minutes for Gavi committing his first foul? 

Antwerp aren't here to muck about, confidently keeping the ball, playing back and out the other side when one attacking avenue is shut down. Nice. 

A decent early spell of possession for Antwerp, which should help them settle into the game. That's the idea anyway. 

Barcelona get us underway!

The Chaaaaampions! I'm not booing it. 

A minute's silence before kick-off

There will be a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of the victims of the natural disasters in Morocco and Libya. 

Champions League anthem booed in Montjuic...

The Champions League anthem has just been belted out, not that the locals are very happy about it. 

Antwerp team to play Barcelona

Butez; Bataille, Coulibaly, Alderweireld, Wijnda; Keita, Ekkelenkamp, Vermeeren; Muja, Janssen, Balikwisha.

Barcelona team to play Antwerp

Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Koundé, Christensen, Balde; Gavi, De Jong, Gündogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Félix.

Follow tonight's other Champions League games

There is plenty more action going on tonight, including PSG hosting Dortmund, and defending champions Manchester City playing Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad. 

Keep up to date with all the scores here!

Tuesday's early Champions League results

The early kicks are over, with Milan and Newcastle playing out a goalless draw in the group of death (along with PSG and Borussia Dortmund) at San Siro, and RB Leipzig winning 3-1 at Young Boys in Manchester City's group.

When was the last time Barcelona won the Champions League?

I mentioned Barcelona's victories at Wembley a little earlier, but when was the last time they won the Champions League? Their last victories came back in 2015, when Lionel Messi masterminded Barça to a 3-1 victory over Juventus in Berlin. That said, the Argentine didn't actually find the net in the final, with Ivan Rakitic, Neymar and Luis Suárez grabbing the goals against the Italians. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Every word of Xavi’s press conference ahead of the Champions League group game against Antwerp

Barcelona haven't had their troubles to seek in recent years and that's been no more evident than in the Champions League. The Catalans have been eliminated at the group stage in two successive seasons and suffered some embarrassing defeats (7-2 against Bayern, anyone?) in the years prior to that. 

Despite their desperation to become competitive in the tournament once again, Xavi says Barça shouldn't be "obsessed" with it ahead of the game against Antwerp. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Who is Sam Vines? United States player left out of Antwerp Champions League squad due to an admin error

But the biggest story surrounding an Antwerp player in this season's Champions League concerns poor old USMNT defender Sam Vines. The left-back sees fairly regularly action for the Belgian side but won't play a single minute of their group stage campaign because of an admin error. “We didn’t do it well. Vines did belong on the list of those called up, but we made a mistake and it can no longer be corrected", explained van Bommel.

Here's Joe with the details. 

Former Spurs and Atlético Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld captains Antwerp

Aside from van Bommel, defender Toby Alderweireld, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Atlético Madrid, is the most recognisable name in the Antwerp ranks and captains the side. Dutch striker Vincent Janssen, who also played (unsuccessfully) for Spurs in the Premier League, leads the attack, while ex-Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet is on the bench. 

LALIGA EA SPORTS

Barcelona vs Betis, summary: Cancelo, Felix, score, goals & highlights | LaLiga EA Sports 23/24

If you're an Antwerp fan, look away now. Barcelona scored four goals against Villarreal earlier in the season, but also conceded three times. On Saturday against Real Betis, however, they clicked at both ends of the field, helped by the arrivals of João Cancelo and João Félix. 

Here's Joe with the story of how Barça battered Betis. 

How have Antwerp started the 2023-24 season?

Defending champions Antwerp find themselves fifth in the Belgian Pro League after winning three, drawing two and losing one of their opening six matches in the Belgian Pro League. They are, however, only three points behind leaders Gent and are undefeated in their last four games. 

The big news, however, is that they have made it this far in the Champions League. The Belgians edged out Greek side AEK Athens in the playoff round to qualify for the group stage. 

How have Barcelona started the 2023-24 season?

Things have gone pretty smoothly for Barcelona so far this season, in which they've played only league games so far. Xavi's side dropped points on the opening weekend of the season at Getafe but have won four games in a row since then, including a resounding 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis on Saturday. 

10 points from 12 is a pretty decent return but Real Madrid sit top of the LaLiga table with a perfect record form their opening five fixtures. 

Barcelona's happy Champions League memories at Wembley

The final of the 2023-24 will be played at Wembley in London (which feels pretty unoriginal, considering it's had plenty of big games in recent years). Barcelona will be happy with that, though, with two of their four European Cup/Champions League victories coming in the English capital. 

In 1992, Ronald Koeman's free-kick saw Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" beat Sampdoria, while Messi, Xavi and Iniesta took Manchester United apart in 2011. 

Antwerp in the house in Montjuic!

An extra suit jacket for van Bommel, who seems to be ready for a sweaty evening down on the touchline. 

Antwerp boss Mark van Bommel returns to Barcelona

One of the main stories surrounding this clash is the return of former Barcelona midfielder Mark van Bommel in the opposition dugout. Let's be totally honest, the Dutchman wasn't everyone's cup of tea, with his extra-long studs and sharp elbows. He played just one season in Spain but ended with LaLiga and Champions League winner's medals at the end of the 2005-06 campaign before moving onto Bayern Munich. 

Antwerp is van Bommel's third management position and by far the most successful to date, with the club winning the Belgian league and cup double in 2022-23, as well as the Super Cup back in July. 

Antwerp team to play Barcelona

Antwerp also look to be setting up in a 4-3-3 system (let's see how far forward those wide forwards play...). A few familiar names in here, which we'll come to in just a moment.

Butez; Bataille, Coulibaly, Alderweireld, Wijnda; Keita, Ekkelenkamp, Vermeeren; Muja, Janssen, Balikwisha.

Barcelona team to play Antwerp: Gündogan starts

As expected, Ilkay Gündogan is back! And Barcelona finally have a proper right-back again in João Cancelo. Two Joãos, as has been well documented. Let's see if I remember the little squiggles over the 'a'.

Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Koundé, Christensen, Balde; Gavi, De Jong, Gündogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Félix.

Champions League soccer at Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys

Tonight's game is, of course, being played at Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys in Montjuic rather than Camp Nou, which is currently being redeveloped. Barcelona are due to play at their temporary ground for the whole of the 2023-24 season and until November next year, by which time they will return home, even though the finished touches won't quite have been applied to their iconic stadium. 

Their home matches so far have seen swathes of empty seats, which might well again be the case here. 

Early Antwerp team news: Engels amongst injury worries

Not only are Antwerp massive underdogs for this one, they also have a few injury issues to contend with. Centre-back Björn Engels, pictured here playing for Olympiakos against Barça, goalkeeper Ortwin De Wolf, defender Kobe Corbanie and midfielder Jacob Ondrejka are all in danger of missing out in Catalonia. 

Early Barcelona team news: Pedri and Araújo expected to miss out

As for players who won't be playing, central defender Ronald Araújo and midfielder Pedri, two of Barça's most impressive performers last season, are both expected to miss out through injury, although there is hope they will both be back in action very soon, perhaps even for La Blaugrana's game against Celta Vigo at the weeked. 

Early Barcelona team news: Ilkay Gündogan fit to play

The big news for Barcelona is that Ilkay Gündogan should return to the starting XI after suffering a back problem while playing for Germany. He's expected to line up in midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong and Oriol Romeu having come off the bench against Real Betis on Saturday. 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

AC Milan vs Newcastle United, live online: score, stats & updates | UEFA Champions League 23/24

Before we go big on Barcelona vs Antwerp, just a little reminder that two Champions League matches are currently in progress, one of which you can follow right here on AS USA!

My esteemed colleague Joe is currently in the thick ofAC Milan vs Newcastle United, with the second half just getting underway. Head over there and say hello, but remember to stick with me too!

Young Boys vs RB Leipzig, who are in Manchester City's group, is the other early kick-off. I'll let you know how those end up. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Barcelona vs Antwerp: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Champions League

Before we get down to business, you may still be looking for a way to watch today's game. If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and here are the details! Just be sure to stick with me too!

Watch a live stream of Barcelona vs Antwerp on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

What time does Barcelona vs Antwerp kick-off?

The clash at in Catalonia gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which makes it 3 p.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT. A pre- or post-lunch Champions League treat, depending on where you are.

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Barcelona vs Antwerp!

The UEFA Champions League is back!

It seems as it if were only yesterday that Manchester City beat Inter in last season's final in Istanbul, although, in reality, over three months have passed. Barcelona will never want to think about the 2022-23 competition ever again and have high hopes of being competitive in Europe's elite club tournament once more. They start their 2023-24 campaign against Belgian champions Antwerp, who won't be expected to take anything home from Catalonia. Soccer, as we know, has a habit of throwing up surprises though...

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one!