Five goal flourish as Barcelona rout Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League

Barcelona scored early and often as Hansi Flick's side put five goals, two from Robert Lewandowski, past Red Star Belgrade to win 5-1 in the Champions League.

Iñigo Martínez got things rolling for Barcelona as he connected on a Raphinha cross from a free kick in the 13th minute. The veteran center-back was named as UEFA's Player of the Match.

There were some shaky moments following Red Star Belgrade's equalizer but it looked like only a matter of time before Barcelona took the lead. They eventually did minutes before the end of the half. Robert Lewandowski scored his first as he pounced on a strike from Raphinha that hit the post. On the ricochet, all Lewandowski needed to do was tap it.

For all intents and purposes, Barcelona put the game to bed in the 53rd minute as Lewandowski got his second. Jules Kounde, who had three assists on the night, sent in a cross that found Lewandowski at the far post. The Polish striker needed only to rotate his leg to make just enough contact to put the ball in the back of the net.

After providing the first assist and hitting the post on Barcelona's second, Raphinha got his goal in the 55th minute with a well placed strike from outside the box, leaving the goalkeeper frozen. Fermin Lopez came on in the second half and netted Barcelona's fifth goal.

"Tonight's match was very important for us because yesterday you could see that it is not easy to win away matches," Hansi Flick said. "We wanted to show strength; we've pressured high with and without the ball, and I was very happy by the way we controlled the match."

If Flick wanted a response after a lackluster second half display against Espanyol, he certainly got it.

In addition to praising his side, Flick highlighted Kounde who has come in to his own at right-back.

"He is a good example for the whole team," Flick said. "We have a lot of players that have improved a lot this season, they increase their performance and Jules is an absolute professional player. He is very focused on the pitch and in the training. I appreciate that. That he also today gave the last pass to the goals is really good to see."

If there are any blemishes it's on the two goals Barcelona conceded. The first one saw Red Star Belgrade beat their offside trap. Gerard Martin, who played in place of Alejandro Balde, played him onside. The second goal, there was nothing Iñaki Peña could do and it came when the game was already out of reach.

"Me being a defender, I can tell you that sometimes we suffer back there when the team slow down a little after scoring and we can pay dearly for it," Iñigo Martínez said. "If we improve that, we can be a great team. We have to enjoy this victory. I'm happy for the goal, but above all for the victory."

With the win, Barcelona now have nine points and sit in sixth place in the Champions League table. It's important to remember the first eight earn automatic qualification in to the next round.

The Catalan side now turn their attention as they travel to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad in what will be their last game before the international break.