Sports

Napoli vs Barcelona: Griezmann earns the edge but Busquets & Vidal miss 2nd leg

Published

5 years ago

February 26, 2020

Dries Mertens matched the all-time Napoli goal-scoring record, but Antoine Griezmann tapped in the Barcelona equaliser and Arturo Vidal saw red in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.

Antoine Griezmann’s second Champions League goal for Barcelona helped the LaLiga giants secure a 1-1 draw against Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Quique Setien’s side were insipid in the first half and deservedly went behind to Dries Mertens’ superb strike after 30 minutes at the Stadio San Paolo.

Napoli lost Mertens to injury early in the second half and their advantage was erased before the hour mark when Griezmann, who had previously cut an isolated figure in attack, thundered home after a flowing move.

The hosts squandered two golden opportunities to restore their advantage soon after, with Barca ultimately holding on despite Arturo Vidal’s late dismissal to take a precious away goal back to Camp Nou in three weeks’ time.