Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk score, result, highlights as Xavi's side stay perfect in Champions League

 

Barcelona continued their perfect start to their UEFA Champions League campaign by making it three wins from three as first-half goals from Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres gave the reigning Spanish champions victory at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Torres lashed Barca ahead in the 28th minute after Lopez had struck the crossbar from Ilkay Gundogan's chip on the Germany international's 100th appearance in the competition, and the opening goalscorer turned provider eight minutes later, allowing Lopez to blast his finish off a post and beyond goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.

Xavi's side are closing in on a place in the Round of 16 after joining Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as the only teams to have won 200 matches in the competition's history, including its time as the European Cup and qualifying games.

Shakhtar made a quiet start to their first game under new manager Marino Pusic following the sacking of predecessor Patrick van Leeuwen and his coaching staff nine days ago, but the former Twente head coach's words at halftime seemed to give the Ukrainian side the confidence to attack Barca far more after the break, when they produced 10 of their 12 attempts at goal.

Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk result

	Final score	Goal scorers
Barcelona	2	Ferran Torres (28), Fermin Lopez (36)
Shakhtar Donetsk	1	Georgiy Sudakov (62)

Starting lineups:

Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) – Joao Cancelo, Martinez, Ronald Araujo, Alonso – Lopez, Romeu, Gundogan – Felix, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-1-4-1): Riznyk (GK) – Konoplia, Matviyenko, Bondar, Azarov – Stepanenko – Zubkov, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Kryskiv – Sikan

Their one effort on target was another illustration of the talent 21-year-old Georgiy Sudakov has, the midfielder racing on to Irakli Azarov's low pass and curling a terrific finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Lopez, who was impressive for a Barcelona side depleted by injuries to the likes of striker Robert Lewandowski, also hit the crossbar with a second-half shot when the reliably inventive Lamine Yamal played him in.

Barcelona are next in action at home to Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday, when they will start the game a point behind their arch-rivals, who sit top of LaLiga.

Shakhtar have three points and remain third in Champions League Group H. They host Barca in both clubs' next game in the competition on November 7.

Barcelona edge past Shakhtar in Champions League

After Shakhtar's initial willingness to attack seemed to have been extinguished by two goals inside nine minutes, few would have expected the talented underdogs to have become much more of a threat during the second half.

Barcelona looked on course to breeze to a routine three points and three clean sheets in as many games at the start of a Champions League season for the first time in 16 years.

Lewandowski was seen smiling in the stands, perhaps enjoying the sense of procession, only for Shakhtar to respond in admirably fearless fashion.

Once the precociously brilliant Sudakov had stylishly replied, Pusic's players showed the ambition and threat to suggest they are contenders to qualify for the knockout stages. A veteran, too was among those who could have levelled the scoreline in the form of midfielder Taras Stepanenko.

Fortunately for Barca, Xavi has his own band of young talents to call upon. Lopez was excellent on a full debut making the clear case for his inclusion on a more regular basis, deservedly contributing an assist and goal.

At 16, Lamine Yamal is four years younger than Lopez, and the anticipation whenever the Spanish top-flight record-breaker had the ball was tangible among the home support.