Barcelona began their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign with a perfect start as they thrashed Royal Antwerp 5-0 on Tuesday night.

The Blaugrana were on a roll from the start as strikes from Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski, and an own goal ensured that they were 3-0 ahead by half-time.

Gavi and Joao Felix found the back of the net again in the second period to condemn the Belgian champions to a 5-0 defeat.

It was the ideal start for Barça, especially after their disappointing run in Europe over the last couple of seasons.

And, Joao Felix, who made his first UCL start for Barcelona, was at the centre of this win, grabbing a couple of goals and setting up one more against Royal Antwerp.

In the process, the 23-year-old became the fourth player to score and assist in his Champions League debut for Barcelona since at least 2003/04, after Maxi Lopez, Sergio Busquets, and Ferran Torres.

Furthermore, Joao Felix became only the second player to be involved in three goals (2 goals and 1 assist) in his debut for Barcelona in the ChampionsLeague since at least 2003/04, after Robert Lewandowski in 2022 (3 goals v Viktoria Plzen).

Meanwhile, Lewandowski continued his recent goalscoring streak, finding the back of the net in four games in a row for Barça across all competitions with his strike against Royal Antwerp.

In doing so, Lewandowski has become the oldest player to score for Barcelona in the Champions League (35 years and 29 days), surpassing Gerard Pique against Dynamo Kyiv in 2021 (34 years and 260 days).

Meanwhile, it was also a special occasion for Barcelona teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, as he made his debut for the club in the Champions League.

At 16 years and 68 days, Yamal became the second youngest player to make his debut in the Champions League after Youssoufa Moukoko with Borussia Dortmund (16 years and 18 days).

He also became the youngest player to feature for Barcelona in Champions League history, breaking Ansu Fati’s record.