Relieved Barca takes 'important step' back to knockout stage

BARCELONA — Barcelona came from behind to beat Porto 2-1 on Tuesday and reach the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in three seasons, which coach Xavi Hernandez said was "an important step" for the club.

Brazilian winger Pepe sent Porto ahead but Barcelona's Portuguese duo Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix both netted to turn the game on its head.

The former Benfica pair pounced against their old club's rival to ensure Xavi's team would not face a humiliating group-stage exit as it did in the last two seasons.

"Today we are very happy, it's an important step in the project, it's very positive for the club," Xavi said.

"It's important, the team has grown, we beat a really good team, it's a day to be very content and satisfied."

Defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk in Hamburg in its previous European match made Barca nervous, with poor performances domestically adding to the jitters.

Despite conceding first, Cancelo quickly leveled and set up Felix in the second half for the winner to delight Barca's fans at the Olympic Stadium on the city's Montjuic Hill.

"It was a final and we won it ...we've put the club in the last 16, which is where it deserves to be," Cancelo told Movistar.

"When results don't come, your confidence is not the same."

Xavi shook up his side with Cancelo switching to leftback and Oriol Romeu dropped for Ilkay Gundogan after Barca's 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, the latest in a string of sub-par displays.

Inaki Pena kept his place in goal for the Catalans while first-choice Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out with back pain and made several saves as both sides racked up good chances.

Porto's Pepe, whistled by Barca fans because of his Real Madrid past, became the fifth oldest player in Champions League history at 40 years and 275 days.

The veteran centerback was in the right place at the right time to block Felix's early effort, after Raphinha tested Diogo Costa with a low drive.

Porto's Mehdi Taremi beat Pena after 25 minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside against the Iranian striker.

The goalkeeper made a solid save to deny Galeno after he burst into life and squeezed a shot off, with pressure mounting on the Spanish champion.

Porto made the breakthrough after 30 minutes, with Brazilian winger Pepe slamming home the rebound after Pena denied Evanilson.

Before Barcelona allowed fear to set in, Cancelo dragged it back level with a fine individual goal.

The former Benfica defender, on loan from Manchester City, cut in from the left to bypass a defender and beat Costa with a confident strike.

Frantic pace

Raphinha flashed a shot tantalizingly wide when Costa gave the ball away on the edge of his own box to Pedri, and Pena thwarted Alan Varela at the other end as the game lurched from one side to the other.

The second half began at the same frantic pace, with Felix cracking a strike off the top of the crossbar.

Ten minutes later, the 24-year-old found the net, exchanging passes with the rampaging Cancelo and carefully slotting home.

"The two of them had a great game today, I am very happy with them," said Xavi.

Raphinha came close twice in quick succession as the Catalans sought to stretch their lead, but although they could not, this time around they still managed to get the job done.

Barca defender Ronald Araujo's huge fist-pump at the full-time whistle showed just how much the win meant to the host.

Cancelo went off before the end but said it was precautionary and that he would be fit for the clash against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

"I am sure I will be there against Atletico," he added.

"Now we have to recover and win on Sunday."

Defeat leaves Porto second, tied with Shakhtar, third, on nine points. They face each other in the final group game on Dec 13 in Portugal.

AFP