Barcelona Reach Champions League Quarter-finals for First Time in Four Years
Blaugrana Triumph 3-1 over Napoli in Second Leg
Goals from Fermin Lopez, Joao Cancelo, and Robert Lewandowski Seal Progression
Barcelona have reached the last eight of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in four years after a 3-1 victory over Napoli in the Round of 16 second leg on Wednesday night.
The Blaugrana, who won the first leg 2-0 in Naples, took a giant step towards qualification when Fermin Lopez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Joao Cancelo doubled Barcelona's lead just before halftime, and Robert Lewandowski sealed the win with a third goal in the 65th minute.
Napoli pulled one back through Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the 83rd minute, but it was too little, too late for the Italian side. Barcelona held on to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory and book their place in the quarter-finals.
The result is a major triumph for Barcelona, who have been struggling in recent seasons. The Blaugrana have not won the Champions League since 2015, and they have been eliminated in the quarterfinals in each of the past three seasons.
However, this victory suggests that Barcelona are back on the right track. The team has shown great improvement under new manager Xavi Hernandez, and they will be confident of making a deep run in this season's Champions League.
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