Viktoria Plzen 2-4 Barcelona: Xavi’s side end Champions League campaign with easy victory

This was the game that didn’t matter, but tell that to the Barcelona board, who were sweating over the €2.8m prize as Viktoria Pilzen scored twice against a young, weak team.

However, Xavi’s side hit four and with Ferran Torres scoring twice, Raphinha shining in midfield and 19-year-old Pablo Torre also scoring goals, it was a happily satisfying end to what had been a sad group stage.

The first goal came after just six minutes when Torres played the ball next to Ansu Fati, whose shot twisted under Jindrich Stanek’s dive. It may not have dripped over the line and Marco Alonso, who had started the move, wasn’t about to wait. He slid in and jabbed the ball into the back of the net.

It was a good start, but Barça soon had opportunities again. Had Adam Vlkanova’s header from a lateral free kick been a few inches lower, it would have gone in instead of coming back from Inaki Pena’s crossbar.

Pena then had to block a shot from Lukas Kalvach after debutant Pablo Torre gave the ball away in his own area. Barça could have doubled their lead, but Fati couldn’t quite reach Jordi Alba’s cross from the left.

Just before halftime, a new assist from the left led to the second. Raphinha’s pass over the top was perfect for Alba and he headed the square for Torres to score his fourth goal of the season.

In the 49th minute Torre made his second mistake in his own area to push Tomas Chory past. The penalty was given and he was booked. Chory defeated Peña from the spot. The goal meant that Barcelona had conceded in all of their Champions League matches.

Barcelona responded immediately with a goal started and finished by Torres. The former Manchester City attacker scored on a one-two in the area with Raphinha.

Pablo Torre made a mistake again by passing the ball directly to Adam Vlkanova, but he failed to finish. Peña then had to save to the right from Vlkanova. Viktoria Plzen got closer and closer and the goal came with their next attack. Chory scored his second.

Things went from bad to worse as Franck Kessie sprinted clear with the ball at his feet and tore his left hamstring as he walked onto the field. He had impressed in Sergio Busquets’ position, but his night was over.

Marc Casado, another 19 year old stepped in to replace him.

Barcelona now ran empty and with 20 minutes to go, Plzen sensed an opportunity to equalize against Xavi’s young side, but Torre’s night was not over and after his previous defensive failings, he went out with a bang.

Raphinha sent another perfectly flying ball over the top and he ran towards it and slammed it past Stanek. He was unable to celebrate his first goal for Barcelona as he injured himself and was replaced by another debutant Alvaro Sanz.

There was still time for Erik Jirka to hit the post when Viktoria Plzen played their last game in Europe this season on purpose. For Barcelona, ​​their last game in the Champions League had ended in a victory. Now they must try to win the Europa League, the competition they never dreamed they would end up in when they beat Plzen in their opening game at the start of the season.