Torres scored a penalty; Barcelona rescued a draw in Europa League

            The Spanish giants, making their first participation in this competition in nearly 18 years, went behind in the first half when Piotr Zielinski drove in.

However, VAR gave Barcelona a penalty in the second half after Adama Traore’s cross struck Juan Jesus’s hand.

Torres took a stride forward to send goalkeeper Alex Meret the wrong way.

The goal will have come as a huge relief to the former Manchester City striker, who had previously squandered a golden chance when the game was scoreless, blasting over when well positioned inside the box.

However, he again had a fantastic chance to win the game for Barcelona late in the game, but he again blasted over the bar.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a quiet game in his first appearance for Barcelona and his first competitive start since December 2nd.

Xavi’s team, who are in the Europa League after failing to advance from their Champions League group, were the superior side following Torres’s 59th-minute equaliser but were unable to score a winner despite late pressure. The two sides will face again in Italy for the second leg on Thursday, 24 February.