UCL: Torres inspires as Barca hit Shaktar 2-1
Barcelona’s Ferran Torres was in super form Wednesday scoring a goal and offering an assist to edge Shakhtar Donetsk and maintain perfect run in Group H
Torres opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a rebounded effort after Fermin Lopez hit the post.
The ex-Manchester City forward then set up Lopez for Barca’s second eight minutes later. Torres feat takes his tally to five goals in 12 appearances for Barcelona this season.Heorhii Sudakov scored a second-half consolation goal but the hosts held on.
READ ALSO UCL: Maguire opens up on “tough” Man United spell
The five-time winners, who last lifted the trophy in 2015, are top of their group with nine points, while Shakhtar stay third, six points behind the La Liga champions
Barcelona are short of strikers with usual centre-forward Robert Lewandowski already out with an ankle injury, and Joao Felix limping off with an apparent knock in the 74th minute.
Torres, though, made the perfect case to start up front in Saturday’s El Clasico league match against rivals Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old found the net in his second consecutive Champions League game, smashing a bouncing loose ball home.
He then received the ball on the turn and set up Lopez who brilliantly doubled Barca’s advantage with a fine strike which went in off the post.
Lopez also hit the woodwork in the second half and had a header ruled out for offside which would have restored his side’s two-goal lead in the 70th minute.
READ ALSO UCL: Barcelona set to welcome Shakhtar to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Shakhtar stunned their hosts, scoring on a rare break upfield, but never looked like adding a second to take a point from Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona started 16-year-old Lamine Yamal for the second time in the Champions League, while 17-year-old Marc Guiu, who scored the winner on his debut against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, came on as a late substitute.