Drama unfolds across Europe as Barcelona survive and Pafos stuns Villarrea

Club Brugge 3-3 FC Barcelona

On Wednesday night at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Club Brugge stunned Barcelona before the visitors dug themselves out of trouble to salvage a point. Just six minutes in, Carlos Forbs broke clear of Barcelona's high line and set up Nicolo Tresoldi for a tap-in that shocked the Catalans.

Barcelona responded two minutes later through Ferran Torres, whose right-footed finish settled the visitors momentarily. But the Belgians weren't done: a corner routine turned into a long-ball break, Forbs sprinted clear and bent a left-foot shot past the keeper for a 2-1 lead in the 17th minute.

Barcelona, who had been on a four-match winning streak away in the competition, looked shaken. Jules Kounde hammered a shot against the bar just before half-time while Marcus Rashford kept probing. The half ended with Barca still in chase. Early after the break, Brugge had a chance through Joaquin Seys, but the keeper denied him. Then, teenage whiz Lamine Yamal blazed a golden chance straight at the keeper before making amends by slicing through the defence and finishing with the outside of his left foot to level the scores. When Forbs beat static defenders again to restore Brugge's lead with his brace, the hosts appeared poised for a famous win.

With thirteen minutes to play, Yamal's attempted cross was headed into his own net by Brugge's Christos Tzolis, and the equaliser arrived. A late potential winner for Brugge was ruled out via VAR after a controversial trip on Wojciech Szczesny by Romeo Vermant. The result ended Brugge's five-match home unbeaten run and denied Barca their first two away wins in this UCL phase since 2020/21.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted afterwards the performance was "far from our standards" but praised Yamal's composure under pressure. Brugge's caretaker boss Nicky Hayen had warned of giving away the ball cheaply to Barça and his remarks proved timely.

Pafos FC 1-0 Villarreal CF

In Limassol, Pafos made history in the UCL with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal, marking their first win at this stage of Europe's premier competition. Despite both sides entering winless in the league phase, it was the hosts who struck after the break when Derrick Luckassen rose highest to head in Ken Sema's corner.

Villarreal had earlier carved through Pafos's defence on at least two occasions, with Georges Mikautadze missing a sitter and Neofytos Michail sprinting out to deny Pape Gueye.

The Spanish side dominated possession and created more chances, yet they lacked the cutting edge. Manager Marcelino used all five allowed substitutions within a five-minute span to try and turn the game around, but Pafos held firm to record their third clean sheet in this group phase.

Villarreal's tally stands at just one point from four matches and no goals scored in three of their defeats. The result dealt a damaging blow to their progression hopes.

Newcastle United 2-0 Athletic Club

At St James' Park, Newcastle delivered a commanding performance in the UCL to claim a 2-0 win over Athletic Club, securing their third successive European win for the first time since 2002-03.

Dan Burn ghosted unmarked into the box and directed a superb header past Unai Simón in the 11th minute from a free-kick; shortly after the break Joelinton met Harvey Barnes' cross to double the lead with another header.

Despite Athletic being without eight first-team players, including Nico Williams, they still had moments of promise (Unai Gomez and Adama Boiro both struck woodwork), but Newcastle's aerial dominance proved decisive. Coach Eddie Howe said afterwards: "Really pleased with today. It was an important response to (losing to) West Ham, we had a quick turnaround for this game."

With this victory their third from four group-games, the Magpies look well-placed to advance. Meanwhile Athletic's grave away record in Europe, five losses from their last six on the road, is ringing alarm bells.

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