sub-edited by Jake Martin
Embed from Getty ImagesA thunderbolt from Fermin Lopez helped Barcelona see off Shakhtar Donetsk at Estadi Olimpic.
Lopez, one of four La Masia products who started for Barca, was the inspiration as they laboured to what should have been a comfortable victory.
His goal came after Ferran Torres had initially put the hosts in front, smashing home a Lopez shot that rebounded off the woodwork.
But a Heorhii Sudakov strike on the hour mark gave Barca supporters a nervy final thirty minutes, as the Ukrainian side pressed for an equaliser.
For Barca’s opener, Ilkay Gundogan magnificently picked out Fermin Lopez who struck the woodwork, only for the rebound to fall straight to Ferran to smash home.
The goal clearly boosted the confidence of Xavi’s young side, who began to move up the gears, with their second coming eight minutes later.
This time it was Ferran providing for Lopez, who evaded Shakhtar’s defence, before unleashing a bullet strike into the top-right corner.
The second half saw Barcelona happy to keep possession, which in turn gave Shakhtar some impetus heading into the hour mark.
Their pressure, paired with Barca’s complacency, was punished as Sudakov broke away to earn the away side a goal against the run of play.
Shakhtar Donesk did make further inroads, with Taras Stepanenko going closest, but Barcelona stayed assured and deserved their victory.
The result maintains Barcelona’s 100% winning record in this season’s Champion’s League, and leaves Shakhtar third in Group H, on three points.
