Barcelona Dominates Olympiacos 6-1 with Fermín López’s Historic Hat Trick

In a dazzling display of attacking football, Barcelona stormed to a 6-1 victory over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League, igniting the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with a performance brimming with drama, controversy, and individual brilliance on Tuesday night. The Catalan giants, still riding the high from last season’s dominance, reaffirmed their continental ambitions, while Olympiacos were left to rue a night where fortune, and the officials, seemed to desert them. The night belonged to Fermín López, the 20-year-old Spanish midfielder who carved his name into club history with a breathtaking hat trick—the first Champions League treble by a Spaniard in a Barcelona shirt. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, tormented the Greek defense with a clinical brace, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal kept his cool to convert from the spot, as the Blaugrana ran riot once Olympiacos were reduced to ten men. From the opening whistle, it was clear this would be no ordinary European night. Olympiacos, led by José Luis Mendilibar, pressed high and nearly stunned the hosts when Daniel Podence forced Wojciech Szczęsny into an early save. But Barcelona responded in style. An electrifying burst down the left by Alejandro Balde carved open the Greek backline, allowing López and Yamal to combine for the opener, setting the tone for what was to come. Fermín López’s second, just before halftime, showcased the promise of youth in this new Barça generation. The goal was crafted by 17-year-old debutant Dro Fernández, whose incisive through ball allowed López to double the lead and leave the crowd dreaming of more. Yet, Olympiacos refused to wilt. After an offside scare, a controversial handball against Eric García gifted Ayoub El Kaabi a lifeline from the penalty spot, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 early in the second half. Then, the game’s pivotal moment: Santiago Hezze, Olympiacos’ midfield engine, was shown a second yellow card for what looked like minimal contact with Marc Casadó. The Greeks were incensed, the replays inconclusive, but the referee was unmoved. With Olympiacos down to ten, Barcelona smelt blood. In an 11-minute whirlwind, they struck four times—Yamal from the penalty spot after Rashford was brought down, Rashford himself with a pair of ruthless finishes, and López completing his hat trick after a dazzling run by substitute Roony Bardghji. The stats told the story of a one-sided affair: 73% possession, 14 shots on target, and a pass accuracy of 91%. But the numbers only hint at the drama that unfolded. Flick, the German mastermind on the Barça bench, took the opportunity to rest his stars ahead of the looming El Clásico, the squad buoyed by this emphatic win and the confidence it brings before facing arch-rivals Real Madrid. “He’s so dynamic, so dangerous in front of goal,” Flick said of Fermín López after the match. “We needed this performance, this energy. This victory gives us belief for Sunday.” For Olympiacos, the result was a bitter pill, but their spirited opening hour—before the red card—showed a team unafraid to play on Europe’s grandest stage. For Barcelona, it was a night to savour: history made, confidence restored, and the promise of more drama to come as the Champions League journey continues. Fans can relive the magic through official UEFA match highlights and follow the conversation with the latest updates from UEFA Champions League Twitter.