UCL: Lamine Yamal praises resilient Barcelona as team finishes top 5 in league phase
India Today
Champions League: Barcelona's Lamine Yamal praised the team's resilient show on the final day of the league phase. Barcelona overturned a 0-1 deficit and beat Copenhagen 4-1 at Camp Nou.
FC Barcelona’s starboy Lamine Yamal was elated with the team’s win against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, January 28. Barcelona overturned a 0-1 deficit in the second half to win the match 4-1, securing a place in the top five of the league phase.
The result ensured Barcelona’s direct entry into the main draw of the next round, allowing them to avoid the playoffs. Speaking after the match, Yamal praised the character shown by the team and said the new Champions League format suited players, as it reduced the number of matches in an already crowded season.
“We all came here tonight thinking about getting into the top eight. We’re very happy with the win,” the 18-year-old told Movistar Plus.
“When you concede a goal in the Champions League, it’s very difficult to come back, but the team was very resilient and managed to turn it around. With the number of matches we play in a season, having two fewer matches leaves you feeling much better.”
Despite the convincing scoreline, Barcelona were made to work hard after a frustrating first half in which Copenhagen stunned the hosts with an early lead.
The visitors silenced the home crowd when Dadason broke free of Barcelona’s high defensive line, latching on to a defence splitting pass from Mohamed Elyounoussi before drilling a low finish past goalkeeper Garcia.
Champions League: Barcelona's Lamine Yamal praised the team's resilient show on the final day of the league phase. Barcelona overturned a 0-1 deficit and beat Copenhagen 4-1 at Camp Nou.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin responded to a social media troll who accused him of indirectly targeting Virat Kohli during his analysis of India's third T20I win over New Zealand in Guwahati.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has pointed out India's biggest challenge going into the T20 World Cup. Rohit has said that India need to get their combinations right in the tournament.
New Zealand captain, Mitchell Santner, believes that playing India on their home turf gives them the best form of preparation going into the T20 World Cup 2026.
Shivam Dube blazes to India's third-fastest T20I fifty against New Zealand in Vizag, scoring 65 off 23 in a thrilling chase. However, he was dismissed in the end in a cruel twist in Vizag.
Sanju Samson's poor run of form continues as he was dismissed for 24 off 16 balls during the Vizag T20I. Samson made a good start and failed to push on and get a big score.
Sarfaraz Khan believes his IPL stint with Chennai Super Kings can help revive his India ambitions, calling the opportunity to play alongside legends a crucial moment in his career.
Salman Ali Agha admitted that he is not worried about Babar Azam's form and wants the people to leave him alone after his poor stint in the BBL.
The Bangladesh cricket board has initiated a new row with the International Cricket Council (ICC), this time with the scheduling for Bangladesh's matches during the ongoing U19 World Cup 2026.