UCL: Kounde brace sparks Barcelona comeback on champions league return to Camp Nou

Jules Kounde struck twice in four minutes as Barcelona overturned a first-half deficit to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt in their first Champions League match at the renovated Camp Nou in more than three years, Sport360NG reports.

Ansgar Knauff gave the visitors a 21st-minute lead, racing onto Nathaniel Brown’s through-ball and holding off Alejandro Balde before finishing past Joan Garcia. Frankfurt, who have struggled for consistency in the Bundesliga, could have extended their advantage, with Ellyes Skhiri and Fares Chaibi both missing promising openings.

Hansi Flick introduced Marcus Rashford at half-time, and the England forward made an immediate impact. His curling cross from the left was met by Kounde, whose powerful header levelled the match five minutes after the restart.

The French defender struck again moments later, this time steering in from close range after meeting Lamine Yamal’s delivery unmarked inside the box.

The win lifts the five-time European champions to 10 points from six games, keeping them firmly in contention for a top-eight finish that would secure direct passage to the last 16 and avoid the play-offs. Barcelona conclude their league phase at Slavia Prague on 21 January before hosting Copenhagen a week later.

Barcelona have now won all four matches since returning to the Nou Camp, which reopened last month after major redevelopment work. The €1.1bn project aims to modernise the stadium and expand capacity to 105,000, though the venue is currently operating at a reduced 45,401 seats while construction continues on the upper tier and roof.

Frankfurt, seventh in the Bundesliga and with only four points from their opening six European fixtures, now face a significant challenge to remain in continental competition.

Barcelona’s only setback on the night was a booking for 16-year-old Yamal, ruling him out of the key trip to Prague.