sub-edited by Cameron Beards
Fermín López the difference maker as Barcelona edged past Shakhtar Donestsk to give the Catalan side their 200th European win.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring midway through the first half as he fired a volley past Dmytro Riznyk in the Shakhtar goal. The goal was originally flagged for offside after it appeared as if López had strayed past the last defender to latch onto Ilkay Gundogan’s lofted ball before striking the woodwork, however after a quick VAR check, the goal was given.
It didn’t take long for Barcelona to score again, with López hitting a rocket off the woodwork and in in the 36th minute. The Spaniard did well to shift the ball past a defender and on to his right foot before letting fly into the top corner.
Out of nowhere, Heorhiy Sudakov got a goal back for Shakhtar just past the hour mark. The Ukrainian was played through by Irakli Azarovi to fire past Marc-André ter Stegen, giving Shakhtar fans some hope.
The goal gave Shakhtar confidence in the attack as they pressed for a leveller, but they were unable to find that all important second goal.
Despite the win, there will be some concerns for Barcelona, as João Félix was forced off due to an injury in the second half. With the El Classico at the weekend, he will hope that it was just a knock rather than any lasting problem.
The result puts Barcelona on the brink of progressing to the knockout stages, while Shakhtar remain on three points from the opening three games.
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