Exceptional Barca brushed off Napoli
Key takeaways:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has netted four goals in five matches for Barcelona.
- Barcelona achieved an outstanding performance to defeat Napoli and advance the Europa League last 16.
Barcelona beat Napoli in style to qualify to the round of 16:
They led by two goals when Jordi Alba finished off a counter-attack from Adama Traore's assist, and Frenkie de Jong curled in a lovely attempt.
Lorenzo Insigne offered Napoli hope to make it 3-2 on aggregate.
But Gerard Pique netted, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot into the top corner from Traore's pass, with Matteo Politano scoring a late relief.
In Friday's draw, Barcelona will find their last-16 opponents - one of the Europa League group victors.
Both players stood with a banner saying 'Stop War' before kick-off in reply to Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Premier League recruits support Barcelona gloss
Barcelona must now be deemed one of the choices to win the Europa League.
Results have gathered since Xavi substituted Ronald Koeman and their front three, all January signings from the Premier League, flared again.
Napoli could not deal with their pressing from the front in the first half as Barca commanded the tie.
Traore has now put up four goals in five matches for Barca on loan from Wolves. He dusted off some defenders to run from the halfway line and provide Alba.
Ferran Torres, a £46.7m signing from Manchester City, then backheeled the ball to De Jong to assert their second in the 13th minute.
After Insigne's spot-kick following a challenge on Victor Osimhen, Pique scored in Barca's third simply before half-time to fix their two-goal lead.
Traore then passed from the right-wing, and De Jong stepped over the ball for Aubameyang to shoot in an excellent attempt for the fourth.
The Gabon international, who joined on a free transfer from Arsenal, had also netted a hat-trick at the weekend vs. Valencia.