Barcelona’s UCL Dream Alive After Stunning 4-0 Demolition of Dortmund

For the first time since 2019, FC Barcelona’s dreams of reaching the UEFA Champions League semifinals are stronger than ever. In front of a roaring home crowd at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the Catalan giants delivered a commanding 4–0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarterfinal clash. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were the standout performers, with Lewandowski scoring twice and Raphinha contributing a goal and an assist. Lamine Yamal also found the net, as Barcelona overwhelmed last year’s runners-up.
“We played very well, but we can’t be thinking about the semifinals yet,” said Lewandowski. “We scored four goals at home, but we still have the return leg to play.” Raphinha opened the scoring in the 25th minute by poking the ball into an open net—his 12th goal in the competition this season, making him the current top scorer in the Champions League. He then assisted Lewandowski’s first goal in the 48th minute.

Lewandowski struck again in the 66th with a clinical one-timer, raising his tally to 11 Champions League goals this season. The 36- year-old Polish striker has now scored 14 Champions League goals after the age of 35, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s total in that age bracket. His brace against Dortmund also took him to 105 career Champions League goals—third all-time behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to UEFA.Interestingly, 17 of Lewandowski’s 105 goals in the competition came during his three-season stint at Dortmund between 2011 and 2014. Now La Liga’s leading scorer with 25 goals, he has amassed 40 goals in all competitions this season.“In my head, I always want to help the team with my quality and my goals,” Lewandowski said. “A striker always needs to be thinking about scoring, and when the team plays well, it becomes easier for me.”Lamine Yamal closed the scoring in the 77th minute, becoming the highest-scoring player in Champions League history before the age of 18, with four goals.

Raphinha has now scored in each of Barcelona’s last four Champions League knockout stage matches, netting seven goals in that stretch. After the match, Raphinha apologized to teammate Pau Cubarsí for “stealing” what could have been the defender’s goal—Cubarsí’s shot was already headed across the line when Raphinha tapped it in. “We're not through yet,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. “Winning by this many goals is important, and when a team plays as well as that, the goals usually come. But we’re not thinking we’re through yet—because in football, anything can happen. It’s madness. We’ll be determined to play like this again next week.” The return leg will be held on Tuesday in Dortmund. The German side will be looking to overturn the heavy deficit and keep their Champions League hopes alive.

In Wednesday’s other quarterfinal matchup, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a wonder goal, overshadowing a stunning curling strike from teammate Désiré Doué, as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Aston Villa 3–1.