Jules Kounde emerged as Barcelona’s unlikely match-winner on Tuesday, scoring two second-half headers to secure a 2–1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League and strengthen the club’s chances of finishing inside the top eight of the league phase.
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Ansgar Knauff stunned the Camp Nou with an early opener, but the French defender’s brace turned the match around in Barcelona’s first Champions League game at their home ground since 2022. The win also provided a measure of revenge against Frankfurt, who famously eliminated Barça from the Europa League three years ago in front of a crowd heavily dotted with travelling German fans.
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona have enjoyed a domestic treble and a return to the Champions League’s final four, but this season’s European campaign has been uneven. Losses to Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain left the Catalans under pressure, making Tuesday’s result crucial.
“I wasn’t surprised it was difficult — the Champions League is different,” Flick said afterwards. “The comeback shows a lot about our attitude.”
Barcelona dominated the early exchanges and saw a Robert Lewandowski finish ruled out for offside. Yet Frankfurt capitalised on a rapid counter-attack in the 21st minute, as Nathaniel Brown’s through ball sent Knauff racing clear to slot past the advancing goalkeeper.
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage through Ellyes Skhiri before halftime, but their missed opportunity proved costly.
Barcelona returned from the break with renewed intensity, bolstered by the introduction of on-loan winger Marcus Rashford. The England international immediately added width and creativity, setting up Raphinha for a chance before delivering the cross that Kounde powered home for the equaliser in the 50th minute.
Just three minutes later, Kounde struck again — this time meeting Lamine Yamal’s looping delivery and guiding his header across goal and into the far corner.
“Kounde works so hard — he deserves these goals,” midfielder Pedri noted, though he joked that the defender “probably wasn’t aiming to score the second.”
Barcelona pushed for a third goal but were forced to endure a tense finish. Frankfurt, however, failed to threaten an equaliser.
With the win, Barcelona climbed to 14th in the league phase standings, two points behind eighth-placed Liverpool. Frankfurt dropped to 30th.
