Kounde Double Powers Barcelona Comeback in Nou Camp Champions League Return
Jules Kounde scored twice to spark a Barcelona comeback as they overturned an early deficit to beat Eintracht Frankfurt — their first Champions League match at the Nou Camp in over three years.
Eintracht struck first in the 21st minute when Ansgar Knauff latched onto Nathaniel Brown’s pass, held off Alejandro Balde, and finished past Joan Garcia. But Barça responded after the break, helped by the introduction of Marcus Rashford, who made an immediate impact.
Just five minutes into the second half, Rashford delivered a pinpoint cross that Kounde headed home. Three minutes later, the French defender struck again, converting Lamine Yamal’s delivery from close range to complete the turnaround.
The win moves Barcelona to 10 points from six games, keeping them in the hunt for a top-eight finish — which would secure direct passage to the last 16. Hansi Flick’s side next face Slavia Prague on 21 January before ending the league phase at home to Copenhagen.
Frankfurt, meanwhile, remain in serious danger of crashing out of Europe, with just four points from their opening six matches.
This was Barcelona’s fourth match back at the Nou Camp following its partial reopening after extensive redevelopment. The club last hosted a Champions League game there in October 2022 before moving to the Estadi Olímpic during the £1.1bn renovation project, which aims to modernise the stadium and expand its capacity to 105,000. For now, the ground operates at a reduced 45,401 capacity, with work ongoing on the roof and top tier.
Back at home, Barcelona have won all four matches since returning.
Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, said playing Champions League football at the Nou Camp was “an amazing experience,” adding that securing all three points was essential. Frankfurt, despite their struggles in the Bundesliga and a heavy 6-0 loss to RB Leipzig days earlier, had chances to double their lead through Ellyes Skhiri and Fares Chaibi but failed to take them.
Kounde’s quick-fire double ultimately decided the match, though Barça were handed one setback: Lamine Yamal received a second-half booking, ruling him out of the trip to Prague.