Joao Felix continued his dream start for Barcelona with two goals and an assist as his side swept past Royal Antwerp 5-0 in their first game in Champions League Group H.
The Portugal international, who scored on his debut in another 5-0 win over Real Betis at the weekend, was in superb form against the Belgians who were returning to top-level European competition for the first time in 65 years.
Barca boss Xavi showed no mercy to Antwerp as he brought Ilkay Gundogan and Raphinha into his starting line-up and watched his side predictably dominate the opening exchanges at the Nou Camp.
It took just 11 minutes for Felix to make the breakthrough when he cut in from the left and flashed the opener past visiting goalkeeper Jean Butez.
Felix turned provider in the 19th minute when he floated in a superb cross and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski pounced at the far post to steer home Barcelona’s second.
It continued a brilliant start for Felix, who figured for Chelsea last season but was deemed surplus to requirements and instead found himself loaned out from Atletico Madrid to the Nou Camp.
Antwerp’s nightmare reintroduction to the top level continued as the hosts made it 3-0 four minutes later, Raphinha’s cross clipping Jelle Bataille and flying beyond Butez and in off the far post.
Barca were in cruise control but should have extended their advantage before half-time as first Raphinha saw an effort stopped at point-blank range by Butez, then Alejandro Balde selfishly screwed a shot wide with team-mates lurking.
But it was all academic as the home side continued the one-way traffic after the break, making it 4-0 after 54 minutes when 19-year-old Gavi fired home after Lewandowski’s work had prompted another Barcelona attack.
The irrepressible Felix grabbed his second of the night in the 66th minute when he headed home from Raphina’s cross in what proved to be the last goal of a painfully one-sided contest.
Xavi introduced 16-year-old Lamine Yamal towards the end of the match, making the Spain international the youngest player to feature for Barcelona in the Champions League.
It also made Yamal the second youngest player to play in the tournament’s history, beaten only by Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko.
'Super simple' – Lille president rules out January exit for Jonathan David
Lille president Olivier Letang has categorically ruled out a January exit for forward Jonathan David amid links with a number of European clubs.
David is out of contract at the end of the season and has been touted as a target for the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Barcelona.
Speaking this week, the Canada international named Barcelona as his "dream" club but suggested he would prefer not to leave Lille mid-season.
And in an interview with After Foot RMC, Letang confirmed no bids have yet been tabled ahead of the January window.
"We are not going to sell him in January, and we have not received any offer for him," he said.
"Jonathan's situation is super simple. We are very happy to have him with us.
"Last season he had one more year left on his contract. We were trying to qualify for the Champions League.
"You have a guy who scores 20 to 25 goals a season. We had no obligation to sell him."
David is into his fifth season with Lille and has scored 97 goals in 202 games for the Ligue 1 side in all competitions while assisting a further 18.
Seven of those goals have arrived in 11 appearances this term, including in Champions League games against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
The 24-year-old's best league season with Lille saw him score 24 goals in 2022-23, while he has netted 19, 15 and 13 in the other full campaigns.
Lille chief Letang reiterated that David has been offered a new deal to stay on at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but selling him has never been an option.
"He is a player who scores between 20 and 25 goals and helps us qualify for the Champions League," he said.
"Plus, Jonathan loves Lille, which is his club. Our position was very clear from the beginning – we think of the athlete.
"Obviously, he already has an offer that is in his hands, the ball is in his court."
Guardiola suggests Man City's recent form played part in signing new contract
Pep Guardiola suggested Manchester City's run of four successive defeats was part of the reason for his contract extension.
The 53-year-old recently signed a two-year deal, which will run out in 2027, ending months of speculation about his future after his contract had been due to run out at the end of the campaign.
Following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton before the international break, Guardiola's side have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career.
"I felt I could not leave now. Maybe the four defeats was why," he told the club's website.
"I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, to bounce back and try to turn the situation. I think we deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it's the truth."
Guardiola has led Manchester City to 18 major trophies during his nine-year stint at the club and posted a 72% win ratio.
He added that he was determined to help the club get back to a state where they are "more stable and more consistent".
"We have to recover that because right now we don't have it and that's the target we have to do," he said.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: "Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep's journey with Manchester City will continue, allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game.
"His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our club, and the English game at large."
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
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