Fermin scores hat-trick, but Barca's win overshadowed by controversial red-card decision

Barcelona returned to winning ways with a commanding 6–1 victory over Olympiacos, but their celebration was marred by a controversial red-card decision that drew frustration from players and fans alike.

Fermín López led the Catalans with a hat-trick, Marcus Rashford added a brace, and teenager Lamine Yamal converted a penalty in the emphatic win.

Missing key players including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Gavi and goalkeeper Joan García, Hansi Flick handed a rare start to young striker Dro Fernández. The new-look Barça attack pressed high from the begining and grabbed an early lead through a combination of Yamal's sharp run and Fermín's precise finish.

In the sixth minute, Yamal sliced through the Olympiacos defence from the right flank and sent a low ball into the box, where Fermín fired home through a crowded defence. Rashford nearly doubled the lead with a free kick from just outside the box in the 11th minute, missing by inches.   

Despite Barcelona's dominance, Olympiacos created danger on the counter and came close in the 20th minute with a shot that slided past the crossbar. Another sustained spell of pressure between 26th and 27th minute tested Barça's backline, but the hosts held firm.

Photo: FC Barcelona

Barcelona regained momentum in the 39th minute through the Dro–Fermín partnership. Picking up a pass from Pedri near midfield, Fernández made a decisive run forward and squared the ball to Fermín, who beat a defender before firing in his second goal of the night.

Just after the break, Fermín nearly completed his hat-trick, but it was Olympiacos who pulled one back through Ayoub El Kaabi's stunning header. However, following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a handball by Eric García in the build-up, and the visitors were instead awarded a penalty. Kaabi converted from the spot in the 54th minute to make it 2–1.

Moments later, Olympiacos were reduced to ten men when referee showed Santiago Hezze a second yellow card for a foul on Marc Casadó — a decision that replays clearly showed to be unnecessary. The referee, however, declined to review the incident on VAR, drawing sharp criticism.

Ten minutes later, VAR intervened again — this time in Barcelona's favour — awarding a penalty for a foul on Rashford. Yamal calmly converted from the spot to restore a two-goal cushion.

With the numerical advantage, Barcelona dominated the rest of the match. Rashford netted his second in the 74th minute with a clinical strike inside the box. Three minutes later, substitute Rooney Bardghji dribbled past two defenders before setting up Fermín to complete his first-ever senior hat-trick. It also made him the first Spanish player to score a Champions League hat-trick for FC Barcelona.

Ten minutes from time, Rashford sealed the result with his brace, latching onto a defence-splitting pass from Pedri to make it 6–1.

With this victory, Barcelona moved to six points from three matches. The win gives the Catalan a timely morale boost ahead of Sunday's El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu.