Barcelona found the right response in Europe. After a weekend stumble that snapped an 11-game winning streak, Xavi’s side came from behind to beat Slavia Prague 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League league phase at the Fortuna Arena. The win, on January 21, 2026, keeps Barcelona’s top-eight ambitions very much on track and restores belief after a rare setback.

This was a must-win on the road, and Barcelona treated it like one. Against a Slavia team desperate for a landmark result and finally back among the goals, the visitors showed resilience, control, and enough cutting edge to leave Prague with three big points.

Why this Champions League win matters

The stakes were simple: stay in the chase for a top-eight finish in the new Champions League league phase, or invite late pressure into the campaign. Barcelona arrived with three wins from six in Europe and five victories in their last eight across all competitions. A defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday had cooled their momentum, but not their standing — they remain top of the LaLiga EA SPORTS table. The question was how they would react, away, under lights, and under pressure.

Winning 4-2 — and doing it after falling behind — is the type of result that can steady a dressing room and sharpen a team’s competitive edge. In the Swiss-style league phase, every game swings seeding, confidence, and rhythm. This one boosted all three. Barcelona can now eye the remaining fixtures with renewed clarity: finish top-eight, secure a stronger playoff path, and keep building.

“Four goals and a comeback — that’s the European response we needed.”

How the game unfolded in Prague

Slavia Prague had not scored in their last five Champions League matches before kickoff, but they were bold at home and made this a fight. The Czech champions leaned into the energy of the Fortuna Arena and pressed for moments that could spark an upset. They got the early reward they had been missing in Europe, but Barcelona’s answer was stronger and more sustained.

Barça bent, but they didn’t break. After conceding, they adjusted, kept the ball better, and used their experience to produce chances at the right moments. The final 4-2 score tells a story of control built over 90 minutes. When Slavia pushed, Barcelona timed their replies — and in the Champions League, timing is everything.

It was also a reminder of Barcelona’s steady scoring rhythm in Europe. The club have now put together 25 goals across their last 26 Champions League matches, a sign of consistent threat even when the performance is not perfect.

“No Yamal, no problem? Depth finally showed up in Prague.”

Barcelona’s solutions without Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal’s suspension could have been a major storyline if Barcelona failed to create. Instead, it became a subplot. The visitors mixed patience with direct play and found multiple routes to goal. That variety mattered. In tight away nights, you often need more than one plan. Barcelona showed they had them.

The blend of senior voices and fresh legs was key. The attack did not rely on a single spark; it relied on pressure, second balls, and quick switches that dragged Slavia out of shape. The result was four goals on the night and a reminder that this squad has layers of creativity when it leans into its structure.

Slavia’s drought ends, but wins still out of reach

From Slavia’s side, there was pride in the fight and a real positive: they ended a five-game Champions League scoring drought. For a team that arrived winless in the league phase (three draws and three losses before this game), finding the net twice against a Spanish giant matters for belief and for the home crowd that roared them on.

But the other side of that coin is cruel. The defeat keeps Slavia chasing a first win of the campaign and adds urgency to their remaining fixtures. They proved they can score; the next step is to turn those moments into points against elite opposition.

“Slavia finally found goals, but Barça’s quality told in the big moments.”

Form check: pressure handled, focus restored

Barcelona’s broader form line now reads solid again: five wins in their last eight across all competitions and three victories from six in Europe. More importantly, this 4-2 away win arrives days after a domestic loss that could have dented confidence. Instead, it looks like a speed bump rather than a trend.

The lesson is simple and useful for the weeks ahead: when Barcelona keep their shape and stay patient, the chances come. When they rush, the gaps appear. In Prague, they chose patience, and it paid off.

Match details and broadcast recap

Final score: Slavia Prague 2–4 Barcelona. Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague. Date: January 21, 2026. Kick-off: 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Competition: UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase.

Broadcast: In the United States, the match streamed on Paramount+. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, coverage was on TNT Sports 6, with streaming via Discovery+.

What this means for the league phase

The new Champions League format rewards consistency. Barcelona’s win keeps them in the thick of the top-eight race and improves their seeding picture. It also adds valuable goal difference on the road, which could matter when the table tightens.

For Slavia, this was a night of mixed feelings: long-awaited goals, no points. They will take heart from the courage of the performance and the noise from the stands. But they also know the maths: to climb, the draws must become wins, and the near-misses must turn into clean spells of control.

The bottom line

Barcelona needed a response after San Sebastián. They delivered one in Prague, with four away goals and the poise to come from behind in a loud, tricky stadium. The result supports their Champions League push and settles nerves after the weekend. The message to rivals feels clear: one defeat did not change the direction of travel.

Next steps will decide the seeding — but nights like this decide the tone. Barcelona have theirs back.