Barcelona took a commanding step toward the Champions League semifinals with a devastating 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in their quarterfinal first leg at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Raphinha continued his remarkable season by opening the scoring and providing two assists, bringing his Champions League goal involvement tally to 19 this season – matching Lionel Messi’s record from the 2011/12 campaign. The Brazilian has made history as the first player ever to register more than 10 goals and 5 assists in a single Champions League season, currently standing at 12 goals and 7 assists.
Robert Lewandowski punished his former club with a clinical double after halftime. The Polish striker has now scored 29 goals in 28 appearances against Dortmund – more than against any other opponent in his career. His first Champions League goal against his former employers came when he headed home from point-blank range after Raphinha redirected Lamine Yamal’s cross.
Teenage sensation Yamal added the fourth goal with a precise finish, continuing his record-breaking campaign. The 17-year-old became the first player to score multiple Champions League knockout goals before turning 18, further cementing his status as one of football’s brightest prospects.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona remain in contention for a remarkable quadruple in his debut season. Having already secured the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid in January, they currently hold a four-point lead in La Liga with eight games remaining and face their arch-rivals in the Copa del Rey final later this month.
Dortmund, last season’s Champions League finalists, now face an almost impossible task in the return leg at Signal Iduna Park. Their European struggles compound their domestic difficulties, as they currently sit outside the Bundesliga’s top four positions with just six matches remaining.
This victory marked Barcelona’s seventh consecutive win in all competitions, showcasing their remarkable transformation under Flick’s guidance after several disappointing European campaigns in recent years.
