Barcelona 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk: Fermin Lopez stars in Champions League win
The young midfielder scored one and could have had more as Barça made it 9/9
Barcelona took another step towards the last 16 of the Champions League as they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez scored the goals as Xavi's side made it nine points from nine in Europe's top competition.
Heorhiy Sudakov scored to get the Ukrainian side back into the game in the second half but Barça held on in the final stages.
Barça started well, pressing high, and could have taken the lead when Fermin's shot was saved after good footwork in the box.
The opener eventually arrived in the 28th minute, Ferran firing home after Fermín had hit the woodwork.
Fermin, impressive on the night, then rifled in the second with a stunning strike in the 36th minute.
With Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, Raphinha and Sergi Roberto all missing through injury, plus Gavi through suspension, it was Fermin who starred here.
Barça went through the motions in the second half but still should have extended their lead.
Fermin and Ferran both had goals ruled out for offside, while the former also hit the woodwork again.
Shakhtar got back into the game when they took advantage of the space behind Joao Cancelo, with Oriol Romeu unable to keep up with Sudakov, who beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
There were nervy moments at both ends in the final stages but no more goals as Barça took another huge step towards a return to the knockout rounds.
Next up? Real Madrid in the Clásico on Saturday.
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