Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a hat-trick to lead them to a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, ending a near decade-long winless run against the German powerhouses.
Raphinha's inspired night started when he gave Barca the lead a little over a minute after kickoff as he received a fine pass through by midfielder Fermin Lopez, beat the offside trap before rounding the onrushing Manuel Neuer and tapping into the empty net.
Harry Kane levelled the score with a volley in the 18th minute but Robert Lewandowski put the home side back in front in the 36th minute after a mistake by Bayern's defence and Raphinha extended Barca's lead with two goals from quick counter-attacks either side of halftime.
Barca are ninth in the Champions League standings on six points from three games while Bayern are 23rd on three points after a second consecutive defeat.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich latest news
- Raphinha hits sensational hat-trick as Barcelona thump Bayern Munich
Good bye!
22:09 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Barcelona’s big win over Bayern Munich.
Find our match report below!
Raphinha hits sensational hat-trick as Barcelona thump Bayern Munich
22:08 , Jonathan GorrieRaphinha hit a sensational hat-trick as Barcelona got revenge on Bayern Munich with a stunning 4-1 Champions League victory at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Having lost their last six encounters with the German giants, conceding 22 goals in the process, Barca’s own rout got underway inside less than 60 seconds, as they exploited Bayern’s wayward defensive line on the first of several occasions. Raphinha, who was captaining his side, went past Manuel Neuer before slotting home.
FULL TIME: Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich
21:57 , Peter FitzpatrickA brilliant night for Barcelona, with Raphinha hitting a sensational hat-trick and Robert Lewandowski netting against his former side.
Almost five for Barca
21:45 , Peter Fitzpatrick82min: Lewandowski is inches away from another after a fantastic ball into the box from Yamal.
Raphinha off to a standing ovation
21:38 , Peter FitzpatrickThe Brazilian is rightly given a raucous reception as he is subbed off for Dani Olmo.
Olmo, who scored a hat-trick vs Bayern last season for Leipzig, is making his own injury return.
It’s turning into a perfect night for Hansi Flick.
Bayern looking beaten
21:34 , Peter Fitzpatrick72min: Musiala has a shot blocked but Bayern do not look like staging a comeback here.
De Jong is back!
21:23 , Peter FitzpatrickA big moment for Barca and Frenkie de Jong, as the Dutch midfielder makes his return from injury off the bench.
Raphinha has also given him the armband, rather kindly.
Kompany makes big changes
21:22 , Peter FitzpatrickWith the game looking lost, the Bayern boss has rolled the dice.
Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman are on for Thomas Muller, Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich | Raphinha 56'
21:18 , Peter Fitzpatrick56min: And that goal has gone to Barca and their brilliant Brazilian.
It’s another stunning counter. Lamine Yamal played a quality ball across to Raphinha, who pushed on and finished brilliantly past Neuer.
Bayern threatening
21:17 , Peter FitzpatrickDespite Barcelona’s lead, Bayern have had much more of the ball, and look like scoring every time they go forward.
The next goal in this could change everything.
Neuer looking very shaky
21:11 , Peter FitzpatrickThe Bayern captain is having a poor night, with his distribution fully out of sorts.
He’s passed the ball to Barca more than once.
Back underway
21:07 , Peter FitzpatrickThe second half has kicked off in Barcelona. Can Bayern mount a comeback? Don’t rule it out.
Half time!
20:52 , Peter FitzpatrickThe whistle goes on a chaotic first 45 minutes, and Barcelona are in control.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Bayern Munich | Raphinha 45'
20:50 , Peter Fitzpatrick45min: What a goal!
Marc Casado plays a stunning cross-field ball to Raphinha, and the Brazilian does the business from there.
He cut inside Alphonso Davies before curling past Neuer.
Three shots on target for Barca. Three goals.
Very soft from Bayern
20:43 , Peter FitzpatrickBarca have had two shots on targets, and two goals.
Bayern’s defence has been exposed on both occasions.
Questions for Kompany to answer.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Bayern Munich | Robert Lewandowski 36'
20:42 , Peter Fitzpatrick36min: Inevitable. Kim min-Jae gets brushed off the ball in the air by Fermin Lopez, and the ball eventually comes to Lewandowski to tap into an empty net.
It’s his 13th of the season.
Barcelona's high line is something else
20:38 , Peter FitzpatrickHansi Flick’s defenders are lined up on the halfway line when out of possession.
It feels like they’re just asking for trouble.
Lewandowski comes close
20:30 , Peter Fitzpatrick25min: The ex-Bayern striker had barely been involved but his shot from outside the box had Manuel Neuer scrambling.
The German keeper then had his kick blocked down by Lamine Yamal after being far too casual.
It had been coming
20:25 , Peter FitzpatrickSince Barca opened the scoring inside a minute, they have really struggled to get a hold of this game.
Bayern have looked the better side, but that extremely high line is a serious risk.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Bayern Munich | Harry Kane 18'
20:22 , Peter Fitzpatrick18min: This time Kane is onside. Olise switched the ball to Serge Gnabry, who put the ball into the box for the England captain to volley home.
Bayern getting openings
20:2017min: Bayern are getting through Barcelona’s midfield, and Michael Olise really should have done better when he got the ball inside the box.
Both sides going for it
20:15It’s a battle of the high lines here, with both sides pressing up.
Surely there will be more goals to come tonight.
OFFSIDE!
20:13 , Peter Fitzpatrick10min: Harry Kane thought he equalised for Bayern with a header, but he was adjudged to be offside by VAR.
This game is end to end.
A man in form
20:11 , Peter FitzpatrickThat makes it seven goals for Raphinha already this season, who is also wearing the captain’s armband tonight.
Not a bad way to mark your 100th game for the club
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Bayern Munich | Raphinha 1'
20:07 , Peter Fitzpatrick1min: Amazing! Less over 60 seconds into the game, Barca have the lead.
Fermin Lopez played the ball through Bayern’s very high line, and it reached Raphinha who did well to finish.
KICK OFF
20:02 , Peter FitzpatrickAnd we’re underway!
Kick off approaching
19:45 , Peter FitzpatrickWe’re 15 minutes away from the game of the night getting underway, and the atmosphere inside the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is heating up!
Flick fully focused on tonight
19:28 , Peter FitzpatrickDespite El Clasico looming large at the weekend, Hansi Flick only has eyes on tonight’s clash with his former side. “For us, the most important thing is the match against Bayern Munich. Everything else that comes after isn't relevant right now. Each game is crucial, and we've approached the season focusing on the next match.”
“Bayern is playing very well and has a lot of confidence. They are a top team, and that's the challenge we face.”
Bayern manager has a poor record vs Barca
19:16 , Peter FitzpatrickWhile his club have a great record against the LaLiga giants, Kompany has the complete opposite.
He lost all four games he played for Manchester City against them, and was an unused sub in the one win during his time at the Etihad.
Kompany full of praise for Barca starlet
19:10Lamine Yamal might get most of the headlines, but 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi is proving a rock at the back for Barca.
And Vincent Kompany has noticed, saying: “he will be one of the future defensive leaders of world football. It is not common to reach such a high level at this age.”
Bayern confirm starting XI
18:51 , Peter FitzpatrickAnd here’s the visitors’ side!
Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, min-Jae, Davies; Palhinha, Kimmich; Gnabry, Olise, Muller, Kane
In a big boost for Vincent Kompany, Jamal Musiala is on the bench having recovered from his recent hip injury.
Barcelona confirm starting XI
18:50 , Peter FitzpatrickThis is how the hosts lineup!
🚨 BARÇA XI 🚨#BarçaBayern pic.twitter.com/D6JQbGXfzT
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 23, 2024
Bayern fans descend on Catalonia
18:33 , Peter FitzpatrickThere’s expected to be 2,800 Bayern fans in attendance tonight, and it appears as if nearly all of them are on their way to the stadium as one.
Día de Champions. 2800 hinchas del Bayern. @JugoneslaSexta pic.twitter.com/fdMU4XBvJ3
— Josep Soldado Gómez (@JosepSoldado) October 23, 2024
Kane proving a worthy successor
18:22 , Peter FitzpatrickTonight feels like a real shootout between Lewandowski and Harry Kane.
Coming to Bayern a year after the Pole left, the England captain has filled his shoes to a tee, netting goals at a similarly ridiculous rate.
He has 57 in 55 for Bayern, including 13 this season in just 10 games.
Standard Sport prediction
18:15 , Peter FitzpatrickBayern’s remarkable record in the fixture is worth taking into account, and the onus is on Flick to end such a horror run against his former side, especially on home soil with another Clasico looming large at the weekend.
Both of these sides have been banging in the goals for fun during impressive domestic starts and have made similar openings in Europe, so we’re opting for an entertaining draw that should not be short on drama and entertainment.
2-2 draw.
Lewandowski meets Bayern again
18:13 , Peter FitzpatrickThe other main narrative is the presence of Robert Lewandowski in the Barcelona lineup.
The Polish striker, of course, is a Bayern legend, scoring 344 goals for the club, including 69 in the Champions League.
He faced his now-former side twice in the 2022/23 season, losing both and not scoring goal, but did score five times while with Borussia Dortmund.
The 36-year-old is also in brilliant form under Flick, scoring 14 times already this season in just 12 games.
Flick faces Bayern for first time
18:10 , Peter FitzpatrickHaving previously played for the club, Flick later managed Bayern between 2019 and 2021, enjoying incredible success.
He won the Champions League in 2020, one of seven trophies he lifted during his time in Bavaria.
He faces off against his old side tonight with his Barcelona reign having got off to a flier.
Los Cules sit top of LaLiga, and have won 10 of their 12 games across all competitions.
Who could forget?
18:05 , Peter FitzpatrickIt might have taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Bayern’s 8-2 victory over Barca in the 2020 Champions League quarter final reverberated across the globe.
Philippe Coutinho, on loan from Barca, scored twice for Bayern, while Robert Lewandowski also netted against his future employers.
The manager of that Bayern side? Hansi Flick.
✨ 𝑶𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 ✨ All the goals from our 8-2 win vs Barcelona ⚽️
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) August 14, 2024
📺 https://t.co/YhdNtV3SQ6#UCL #FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/gQzwB6JkRD
Two giants renew rivalries once more
18:00 , Peter FitzpatrickBarcelona and Bayern are no strangers to one another, with tonight the 14th meeting between the two clubs.
The Germans have been utterly dominant over the years, with 10 wins to Barca’s two.
In fact, Bayern have won the last six games, scoring a staggering 22 times.
Bayern Munich team news
17:56 , Peter FitzpatrickBayern have injury issues of their own, and will be without the likes of Sacha Boey, Hiroki Ito, Josip Stanisic and Aleksandar Pavlovic tonight.
Jamal Musiala could make a return to the squad, however.
Barcelona team news
17:52 , Peter FitzpatrickBarcelona have a number of long-term injury absentees at present, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres and Marc Bernal.
Hansi Flick does have Gavi back though, with the young midfielder having made his long-awaited return from an ACL injury in the 5-1 win against Sevilla on Sunday.
How to watch Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
17:42 , Peter FitzpatrickTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 4, with coverage beginning after the conclusion of Celtic’s trip to Europa League holders Atalanta in the early kick-off window.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich live
17:33 , Peter FitzpatrickGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Barcelona vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The two heavyweights will be looking to move up the table having both won one and lost one of their opening two games in this season’s competition. Kick-off tonight at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest team news, match build-up and live updates.
