Barcelona secured second place in their Champions League group on Wednesday, playing out a 2-2 draw with a resilient Atalanta, who fell short in their bid for direct qualification to the last 16.

Hansi Flick’s side finished the new single-league phase in second, with 19 points, ahead of both Arsenal and Inter Milan on goal difference.

Barcelona’s goals came courtesy of Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo.

The Catalans had a chance to top the group after Liverpool’s loss at PSV Eindhoven, but despite twice taking the lead, they were pegged back by Ederson in the 67th minute and Mario Pasalic in the 79th.

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The game appeared to be heading for a thrilling finish when Pasalic tapped in Marten de Roon’s pass, but Atalanta’s hopes of pulling off a historic win at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium were dashed when Giorgio Scalvini was stretchered off after a painful fall on his shoulder with just three minutes left.

Scalvini, who has struggled with injury this season, had only recently returned from a serious knee problem and was visibly in distress as he left the pitch.

His injury came shortly after Atalanta’s final substitution, leaving Gian Piero Gasperini’s team with just 10 men for the remaining minutes.

As a result, Barcelona will now face one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco, or Brest in the last 16. Atalanta, who finished ninth after dropping out of the top eight, will have to navigate the play-offs in hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

Reported by Channels