Hansi Flick had Jules Kounde to thank as his second-half heroics helped Barcelona past Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

Jules Kounde was the unlikely hero as his double powered Barcelona to a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt to boost their Champions League hopes.

Ansgar Knauff fired the visitors ahead on Tuesday, only for Kounde to inspire a second-half turnaround to move Barcelona up to 14th and just two points shy of the top eight.

Robert Lewandowski saw an early strike ruled out for offside in the build-up against Raphinha, before Gerard Martin stung the palms of Michael Zetterer from range in a one-sided opening.

But it was Eintracht who struck first against the run of play when Knauff beat Alejandro Balde to Nathaniel Brown`s throughball and steered into the bottom-right corner in the 21st minute.

The visitors almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, though Ellyes Skhiri`s first-time effort flew just over the top-right corner.

A half-time change made the difference, however, as substitute Marcus Rashford curled in for Kounde to head home in the 50th minute.

Defender Kounde then struck again just three minutes later, rising the highest to nod past Setterer after a teasing Lamine Yamal delivery from the left-hand side.

Ferran Torres whistled a fierce effort wide as Barcelona sought to put the game to bed, though Eintracht could not mount a late comeback regardless.

Data Debrief: Yamal makes more history

Yamal has now been directly involved in 14 goals in the Champions League for Barcelona (seven goals, seven assists).

His well-weighted delivery for Kounde`s second saw Yamal overtake Kylian Mbappe (13) for the most goal involvements by a player aged 18 or younger in the competition`s history (since 1992-93).

Kounde also became the first Barcelona player to score two headed goals in a single Champions League match, though Hansi Flick will have felt a victory was the least his side deserved.

They accumulated 1.43 expected goals (xG) to Eintracht`s 0.77, eventually managing to get over the line for a vital victory in their quest for automatic qualification to the knockout stages.

 

Flick downplays Yamal`s reaction to late substitution

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick downplayed Lamine Yamal`s reaction to being substituted late in the team`s 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Yamal was replaced by Roony Bardghji in the 89th minute of the league-phase game. He walked off with a serious expression and appeared to be complaining to himself. He also didn`t look happy after getting back to the bench.

"We changed Lamine with a few minutes to go because he was booked and it was late," Flick said. "If he was a bit annoyed, then I fully understand and I like it. I was a player too. It`s fully acceptable, not a problem."

Yamal was shown a yellow card in the 56th minute for a foul and will miss the team`s next Champions League match.

His cross led to Jules Koundé`s second goal in the 53rd to give Barcelona the come-from-behind victory after the visitors had gone ahead in the 21st. Koundé also scored in the 50th.

The 18-year-old Yamal has produced more goal involvements - assists and goals - than any other player aged under 19 in Champions League history from group stage or league phase to final, according to UEFA. He has 14 - seven goals and seven assists. That is one more than Kylian Mbappé`s previous record of 13 - 10 goals and three assists.

 

Pedri: Conde Deserves Success, and My Physical Condition Is Good

Barcelona midfielder Pedri spoke after the 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the sixth group stage match of the UEFA Champions League, emphasizing the difficulty of the game and the team`s desire to secure the win.

Pedri said: "We wanted to start at Camp Nou with a win. They made things difficult for us; in the first half, they scored that goal and were putting many players at the back."

He added: "We adjusted a few things, especially with the midfield players. We came out better and were able to score goals."

He continued: "Conde works very hard, he deserves it, and this will be good for him. I am happy for him."

He continued: "I`m sure the second player didn`t intend to shoot, but I will ask him. I am trying to do my best to make the game smoother."

He added, "I feel that I am in good physical condition, and I hope it continues like this throughout the season."