Barcelona battled back three times to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in a pulsating Champions League encounter Wednesday night, salvaging a point through a late own goal from Belgian defender Joaquin Seys.
The dramatic clash at Brugge’s Jan Breydel Stadium saw the home side repeatedly expose Barcelona’s high defensive line with blistering counterattacks, while the Catalans showed resilience to claw back into the game each time they fell behind.
Brugge struck first in the sixth minute when Nicolo Tresoldi finished off a quick break orchestrated by Carlos Forbs, whose pace and precision down the right flank caught Barcelona’s defense off guard. But Barcelona responded immediately, with Ferran Torres slotting home from close range just two minutes later.
The Belgian hosts regained their advantage in the 17th minute as Forbs again punished Barcelona’s backline, this time scoring himself after another swift counterattack. The first half continued at a relentless pace, with Jules Kounde rattling the crossbar and Torres missing another chance to equalize before halftime.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny kept his team in contention early in the second half, pulling off a spectacular save to deny Seys from point-blank range. Moments later, Eric Garcia thundered a long-range effort off the bar before teenage sensation Lamine Yamal produced a dazzling solo goal to level the score in the 60th minute.
But Brugge quickly struck again, reclaiming the lead just two minutes later as Forbs completed his brace with another lightning-fast counter, coolly chipping the ball past Szczesny.
The visitors’ persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute when Yamal floated a cross into the box, forcing an own goal from Seys, who inadvertently headed the ball past his own goalkeeper while attempting to clear.
The match ended in controversy when Romeo Vermant appeared to score a stoppage-time winner for Brugge following a fumble by Szczesny. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was overturned due to a foul on the Barcelona keeper, allowing Xavi Hernández’s side to escape with a point.
“They created a lot of danger on the counter-attack, and we should have done much better everywhere,” said a frustrated Torres after the match. “It felt like with two passes they were already in our box. We have to find ways to improve. The team reacted well and had a lot of chances, but when you’re chasing the game, it’s tough.”
The draw leaves Barcelona 11th in the standings with seven points from four matches, while Club Brugge sit 22nd with four points, both teams still in contention for qualification as the group stage enters its decisive phase.
