Barcelona ease to first-leg win over Dortmund

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Barcelona 4 - 0 Borussia Dortmund

Raphinha matched Lionel Messi’s long-standing club record for goal involvements in a single Champions League season as Barcelona dismantled Borussia Dortmund to seize control of their quarter-final tie.

Author - Paul Woods

Stadium - Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys

Champions League ~ Last 8 - Barca v Dortmund

The Brazilian winger was instrumental throughout, scoring once and providing two assists to bring his tally to 19 goal involvements in this season’s competition, equalling the mark set by Messi during the 2011–12 campaign.

Barcelona took a deserved lead midway through the first half, with Raphinha on hand to finish from close range after Pau Cubarsí’s effort squirmed past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The 27-year-old’s 12th goal in Europe this season came after a chaotic set-piece that began with Karim Adeyemi conceding a free-kick for pulling Jules Koundé’s hair.

Robert Lewandowski extended Barça’s advantage early in the second half, converting Raphinha’s header from a yard out after a sweeping cross from the lively Lamine Yamal. The Polish striker then added a third on 66 minutes, clinically finishing a rapid counter-attack to register his 99th goal for the club.

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Yamal, still just 16, capped an electrifying performance by adding a fourth in the closing stages, tapping home after Raphinha picked him out with a low cross – the assist that saw the Brazilian equal Messi’s record.

Barcelona could have been ahead much earlier, dominating the opening exchanges with Lewandowski and Yamal both drawing sharp saves from Kobel inside the first seven minutes.

Champions League ~ Last 8 - Barca v Dortmund _ Players celebrate

Dortmund briefly rallied before half-time, with Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy threatening, but Edin Terzić’s side ultimately struggled to contain Barcelona’s relentless attacking waves. Fermin López struck the post and missed a rebound as the hosts pushed for more.

Xavi’s side will take a commanding lead into the second leg at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday, 15 April, as they look to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2019.

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