Barcelona delivered a stunning performance against Borussia Dortmund, winning 4-0 at the Olympic Stadium and moving closer to their first UEFA Champions League semifinal since 2019. The match featured goals from Raphinha, who opened the scoring, Robert Lewandowski with two goals, and Lamine Yamal, who capped off the victory late in the game.
Despite having a commanding lead going into the second leg in Dortmund next week, Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick emphasized that his team plays with relentless energy and never eases off. Lewandowski highlighted their commitment to maintaining high standards even with a significant advantage.
Raphinha is enjoying an exceptional Champions League season, leading all players with 12 goals. His opening goal was initially under review for offside but was confirmed as valid after VAR checked it. He expressed relief about the decision and shared a light moment of camaraderie with teammate Pau Cubarsí regarding his assist.
The attacking prowess of Barcelona this season has been remarkable; they have scored over three goals per match on average in the Champions League and have netted four or more goals in multiple games throughout their campaign. However, there are concerns about defensive vulnerabilities that could be exploited by future opponents.
Yamal made history by becoming the first player to score multiple goals in knockout rounds before turning 18 years old. His contributions were pivotal throughout the match as he assisted Lewandowski’s second goal before scoring himself.
As they look ahead to potential treble glory—having already reached the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid while leading La Liga—Barcelona remains focused on continuing their strong form into upcoming matches.In a commanding performance, Robert Lewandowski scored twice, and Lamine Yamal added another goal to secure a 4-0 victory for Barcelona against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie. With the second leg set to take place in Dortmund next week, Barcelona appears poised to advance to the semifinals, potentially facing Bayern Munich or Internazionale.
Coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s relentless attacking style, emphasizing that they never ease off even when leading by multiple goals. Lewandowski’s brace brought his season total to 40 goals and marked his 99th for Barcelona at age 36. He has been a consistent threat against Dortmund, having scored an impressive 29 goals in just 28 matches against them.
Raphinha also shone brightly during the match, leading the Champions League with 12 goals this season and contributing significantly alongside Lewandowski. His first goal was initially under review for offside but was ultimately confirmed as valid.
Yamal made history by becoming the first player to score multiple goals in Champions League knockout rounds before turning 18. His contributions were vital throughout the match as he assisted on one of Lewandowski’s goals and capped off his night with a goal of his own.
Barcelona’s offensive prowess is evident; they have scored four or more goals in games numerous times this season and lead all teams in Champions League scoring despite playing fewer matches than many competitors. However, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern as missed opportunities from Dortmund could have changed the game’s outcome.
As Barcelona aims for glory across competitions—leading La Liga and reaching the Copa del Rey final—the players are focused on maintaining their momentum heading into crucial fixtures ahead.
