Barcelona beat Napoli to reach Europa League last 16
Barcelona cruised into the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday after comfortably seeing off Napoli 4-2 to go through 5-3 on aggregate.
FULL TIME! #NapoliBarça pic.twitter.com/XM5EHP5uxP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 24, 2022
The Catalan giants were on top almost from the off in Naples thanks to Jordi Alba expertly finishing a lightning counter-attack from a Napoli corner, and Frenkie de Jong’s superb long range effort effectively ended the tie with three quarters of the match to play.
"A complete win"
— Xavi's reaction to #NapoliBarça pic.twitter.com/MdHbcpIgBY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 25, 2022
"Now the results are coming"
— @DeJongFrenkie21 after Barça's 4-2 win over Napoli pic.twitter.com/AUIpLcz5fn
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 25, 2022
Xavi’s thrilling side could have had more before Lorenzo Insigne briefly gave the hosts hope from the penalty spot mid-way through the first half, and Gerard Pique made absolutely sure there would be no Napoli comeback on the stroke of half-time.
A sobering night for Napoli, who are chasing a first Serie A title in three decades, was capped just before the hour mark by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who impressed up front for a dynamic Barca team which looks like it can go all the way in the competition.
The Amazing Auba pic.twitter.com/B6LbR4mfkO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 24, 2022
It was a stroll for Barca into Friday’s draw for the last 16, whose matches will be played on March 10 and 17.