Arsenal, Barcelona Qualify For UCL Quarterfinals [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]

Arsenal and Barcelona sealed qualification to the 2023/24 Champions League quarterfinal with round 16 victories over Napoli and Porto, respectively.

Barcelona edged out Napoli 4-2 on aggregate to book qualification for the Champions League next round. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Italy before Barcelona got the better of the Serie A outfit in the second leg in Spain.

It was a prolific start for the Catalans against the Serie A champions. Fermin Lopez opened the scoring for the Catalans in the 15th minute, thanks to Raphinha’s assist.

Two minutes after Fermin Lopezc’s goal, Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo came up clutch for the Catalans, scoring to double the lead for the hosts, thanks to a second quick assist from Raphinha.

The quickfire double by the Catalans saw the Neapolitans go down by two goals in a flash. At the half-hour, the visitors restored some semblance of hope for a possible comeback by halving the deficit.

The first half ended with Barcelona leading 2-1. Napoli still had a chance in the game but were dealt the final blow in the 83rd minute when Robert Lewandowski scored in the 83rd minute to restore Barcelona’s 2-goal lead again.

Barcelona won 3-1 the night and 4-2 on aggregate to qualify for the last 8 of the competition.

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In the other Champions League clash Arsenal saw off Porto via penalties to reach the last 8. Leandro Trossard had found the back of the net for the Gunners.

The goal was enough to chalk off Porto’s narrow 1-0 lead in the first leg, hence dragging the game into extra time and penalties where the Premier League leaders won 4-2 to qualify for the quarterfinals.

David Raya was the spot-kick hero as he saved two penalties to hand the Gunners a crucial victory over the Portuguese giants.

https://youtu.be/4cpQt7fZJlQ?si=SRpiuTWSTToMI46A