Crvena Zvezda 2-5 Barcelona – Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski shine as Barca storm past Crvena Zvezda

Barcelona beat Crvena Zvezda 5-2 in Serbia as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha starred for Hansi Flick's side.

Barcelona wanted to maintain their excellent form under Flick, while the home side needed a win to have even a remote chance of reaching the play-offs later in the tournament.

It was Barca who took the lead when defender Inigo Martinez scored early with a header from a corner, before Silas broke the offside trap at the other end to equalize in the 27th minute.

Lewandowski then completed an excellent move just before half-time to put the away team in the lead.

In the second half, Lewandowski added his second goal after a clever cross from Jules Kounde, and two minutes later Raphinha increased the score to his fourth. Substitute Fermin Lopez then converted another Kounde pass to score the fifth goal. Milson then brought the equalizer back for Crvena Zvezda with a great curling effort, but it wasn't enough for a comeback.

The Serbian team remains pointless after the heavy defeat, Barcelona now has nine points and is on the way to the next round.

A difficult season led to the reasonable assumption that 2023/24 was the season where the Polish veteran finally called it quits, but the arrival of Hansi Flick changed all that.

Lewandowski scored his 18th and 19th goals in the game against Crvena Zvezda, scoring two poacher goals. He is now up to 99 Champions League goals.

The experienced striker clearly benefits from an attacking trio that creates chances which he can take advantage of to convert.

Crvena Zvezda: Marko Ilic 5, Seol 5, Djiga 5, Spajic 6, Rodic 5, Krunic 5, Kanga 6, Elsnik 5, Maksimovic 6, Silas 7, Ndiaye 6. Subs: Dalcio 6, Luka Ilic 6, Katai 46, Milson 7, Prutsev 6.

Barcelona: Pena 6, Cubarsi 7, Martinez 7, Casado 7, Kounde 8, Martin 6, De Jong 6, Pedri 7, Raphinha 8, Yamal 7, Lewandowski 8. Subs: Gavi 6, Fermin 7, Pau 6, Olmo 6, Sergi 64.

13' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 0-1 BARCELONA – MARTINEZ scores – The defender is traveling home to Europe for the first time this season. Raphinha hits a great free kick at the back post and Martinez heads towards the far post.

27' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 1-1 BARCELONA – SILAS scores – It's all square. Silas breaks the offside trap, sees Pena out early and shoots the ball around him with a great finish.

43' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 1-2 BARCELONA – LEWANDOWSKI scores – A simple conclusion to an excellent move. Yamal dances into the penalty area, finds Pedri, who beats Raphinha outside the penalty area. His shot bounces off the post and goes to the left side of the Polish striker, who slides in to convert.

53' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 1-3 BARCELONA – LEWANDOWSKI scores – Pedri finds Kounde in free space on the right, he hits a cross to the back post that bounces into Lewandowski's thigh so he can bundle it in.

55' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 1-4 BARCELONA – RAPHINHA scores – Kounde pushes forward again on the right side, cleverly pulls the ball back to Raphinha on the edge of the penalty area, and he pushes a low shot into the corner

76' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 1-5 BARCELONA – FERMIN SCORES – Kounde is high up on the right again, he finds Fermin to his left and his well-aimed shot slips past Dalcio and past the goalkeeper.

84' – GOAL! CRVENA ZVEZDA 2-5 BARCELONA – MILSON scores – A great effort from the winger who sets up Kounde, steps inside and circles into the far corner.

Barcelona have now won seven games in a row.