Raphael Onyedika was in action for 84 minutes, helping a spirited Club Brugge side earn a dramatic 3-3 draw against Barcelona in one of the most entertaining games of the night, keeping their hopes of securing a playoff spot alive.
The Nigeria international, who only recently returned from a hamstring injury, was handed a starting role against Barcelona – a side aiming for back-to-back wins and their third victory in four games in the competition.
The hosts took an early lead in the sixth minute through Nicolò Tresoldi, but their advantage lasted only two minutes before Ferran Torres levelled the score. Carlos Forbs, who had assisted Brugge’s opener, then got on the scoresheet himself, restoring the Belgian side’s lead in the 17th minute as Brugge went into halftime with a stunning 2-1 advantage.
Lamine Yamal equalised for Barcelona in the 61st minute, but Forbs struck again three minutes later to make it 3-2. However, just four minutes after that, Christos Tzolis inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, gifting Barça a 3-3 draw.
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There was late drama in stoppage time when Romeo Vermant thought he had scored the winner for Brugge in the 91st minute, only for his effort to be controversially ruled out by VAR for a foul on goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
Despite being denied at the death, Brugge will take pride in their performance, having gone toe-to-toe with one of Europe’s elite and nearly snatching a famous win. The draw lifts the Belgian side into the playoff zone (22nd) after four games, while Barcelona also remains within the playoff positions with two wins, one loss, and a draw.
Onyedika, who anchored the midfield impressively, was cautioned in the 32nd minute before being substituted in the 84th for Lynnt Audoor.
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