Jules Kounde scores two second-half headers as Barcelona come from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Champions League
BARCELONA: Jules Kounde emerged as an unlikely hero with two headed goals to fire Barcelona to a 2-1 comeback victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
The win at Camp Nou boosts Barcelona’s hopes of securing a top-eight finish in the new league phase format.
Ansgar Knauff had given the Bundesliga visitors a surprise lead in the first half against the run of play.
French defender Kounde then nodded in twice early in the second period to complete the turnaround for last season’s semi-finalists.
The match marked Barcelona’s first Champions League fixture back at their iconic stadium since 2022.
It also served as revenge against the German side, who famously knocked Barcelona out of the Europa League in that same year.
Barcelona controlled possession in the opening period but fell behind to a rapid Frankfurt counter-attack after 21 minutes.
The Catalans emerged with renewed intensity after the break, aided by the introduction of substitute Marcus Rashford.
The on-loan Manchester United winger created the equaliser, whipping in a cross for Kounde to head home in the 50th minute.
Kounde grabbed his second just three minutes later, nodding a Lamine Yamal cross back across goal and into the far corner.
“I tried to put it back into that zone,” Kounde said of his second goal. “So I was surprised, sometimes you need to have a bit of luck.”
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s attitude in fighting back for a crucial victory.
“It was important Marcus was on the pitch, he gave us the width,” Flick explained.
The result leaves Barcelona 14th in the standings, two points behind eighth-placed Liverpool.
Eintracht Frankfurt, who were thrashed 6-0 by RB Leipzig last weekend, remain down in 30th position. – AFP
