Koundé’s Two-Minute Double Saves Barcelona From Disaster
Barcelona in Trouble at Halftime
Barcelona walked into the break looking lost and frustrated.Eintracht Frankfurt had stunned the Camp Nou with a sharp finish from Ansgar Knauff, and Barça couldn’t find their rhythm despite dominating possession. Robert Lewandowski thought he’d opened the scoring early, but the goal was ruled out after Raphinha strayed offside. Gerard Martín tested Michael Zetterer soon after, but Frankfurt survived—and then struck.
Frankfurt’s Early Punch
Nathaniel Brown sliced through Barcelona’s midfield with a bursting run and slipped the ball to Knauff. The winger outmuscled Alejandro Balde and drilled his shot into the bottom corner. Barcelona pushed back but couldn’t break through the German defence, which stayed compact and disciplined. Frankfurt nearly doubled the lead before halftime when Knauff set up Ellyes Skhiri, who curled just over.
Rashford Changes Everything
Hansi Flick reacted immediately at the break, bringing on Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United loanee instantly gave Barcelona width, energy, and direct running. “Marcus gives us the width we needed,” Flick explained. “It took two set pieces to come back, but that’s part of the game.” Rashford almost assisted right away, setting up Raphinha, who fired over. But the real breakthrough was seconds away.
Koundé Sparks the Comeback
In the 50th minute, Rashford whipped in a perfect cross.Jules Koundé rose above everyone and powered in the equaliser.The stadium erupted.Barcelona finally had momentum.
Two Minutes Later, The Turnaround
The comeback was complete almost instantly.Lamine Yamal delivered a teasing ball to the far post, and Koundé nodded in his second of the night.Two headers.Three minutes.Barcelona transformed from desperate to dominant.
Barça Hunt for the Third
Yamal remained electric, slicing inside and sending a shot just wide.He later showed frustration after being subbed while on a yellow card—something Flick brushed off with a smile.“He’s young, he wants to play 100 minutes. It’s a good attitude,” the coach joked.
Barcelona Keep Knockout Hopes Alive
The win keeps Barcelona firmly in the race for the top eight in a packed Champions League table.Flick praised his team’s mentality, and especially Koundé, whose two goals may prove season-defining.
