In a captivating Champions League Round of 16 clash, Napoli and Barcelona showcased their prowess, concluding the match with a thrilling 1-1 draw. The late heroics of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen proved decisive as he netted a powerful goal, rescuing a crucial point for the Italian side.
Despite Barcelona dominating possession early on, Napoli's goalkeeper, Alex Meret, showcased stellar performance by denying the visitors' attempts at goal. Interestingly, Napoli, despite coming close in the first half, failed to register a shot on target, marking a unique occurrence in their Champions League history.
The game's intensity escalated in the second half when Robert Lewandowski's clinical finish put Barcelona in the lead. However, Napoli showcased resilience, and Osimhen, returning from AFCON duty, equalized late in the game with a remarkable strike, turning past Inigo Martinez.
Osimhen's goal fueled a late surge from Napoli, with Giovanni Simeone and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa coming close to securing a winner for the Italian giants. Ultimately, Barcelona managed to hold on, concluding the match with a hard-fought draw and shared points in the first leg of the round.