Two headers from Jules Kounde lifted Barcelona to a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt
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BARCELONA — Two headers from Jules Kounde lifted Barcelona to a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, securing a vital Champions League victory at home.
The win leaves Barcelona 13th in the 36-team league phase, still with work to do to ensure a top-eight finish, but with two winnable games to play in the new year.
Ansgar Knauff put Eintracht ahead in the 21st minute against the run of play when he finished off a counter-attack in a half where Barcelona had most of the ball, with Pedri looking to control the play, reports Xinhua.
Kounde headed Barcelona level in the 50th minute after a fine cross from Marcus Rashford after the England forward had come on as a halftime substitute.
Kounde scored another header three minutes later, nodding in Lamine Yamal's high cross.
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Alexander Sorloth teed up Julian Alvarez for the equalizer in the 37th minute, before David Hancko pounced on a rebound after Matej Kovar pushed out Nahuel Molina's long-range effort in the 52nd, with Sorloth then adding a third four minutes later.
Ricardo Pepi pulled a goal back at the far post in the 85th minute and Armando Obispo missed a golden chance from close range in the final minutes as Atletico claimed a vital 3-2 win.
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