Feyenoord bows to FC Barcelona's extraordinary class

Raphinha’s lightning-fast opening goal was a cold shower for Feyenoord, both literally and figuratively. As the iconic - and largely uncovered - stadium was pounded by a downpour, the Brazilian forward immediately demonstrated just how deadly the Spanish national champion is in front of the net.

Feyenoord then managed to keep the damage reasonably limited in the first half (2-0) and had its strongest spell of the evening shortly after halftime. Just as the team was starting to seriously believe in a comeback goal, Raphinha put an end to all their hopes. It was particularly frustrating that Nacho Ferri did score shortly after, only for the VAR to disallow his goal due to a narrow offside call on Gjivai Zechiël.

In the end, Sem Steijn saved face for Feyenoord, which could do little else but bow to the Catalans’ superior quality. It turned out to be, above all, an instructive Champions League evening - as the nearly 3.000 traveling supporters in the away section also witnessed.

The next Champions League match is on Wednesday, October 14, against Como 1907. First, however, the focus returns to the Eredivisie: on Sunday, Feyenoord plays away against PEC Zwolle (kickoff at 4:45 p.m.).