Barcelona have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals after a sensational first leg performance against Borussia Dortmund in their quarter-final tie at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
2024/2025 UEFA Champions League
4-0
Match Report
Barcelona dominated the early stages as they sought a fast start to the tie, and although they were initially denied by Dortmund, they managed to find the breakthrough after 25 minutes. A corner sequence ended with Pau Cubarsi poking towards goal, and as he was just about to find the back of the net for the first time in the Champions League, Raphinha got the faintest touch to make it his own.
Dortmund should have equalised just before half time as Serhou Guirassy fluffed a big chance, and he was made to pay as Barcelona doubled their advantage only three minutes into the second period. Lamine Yamal crossed for Raphinha, who headed back across goal for Robert Lewandowski to score from close range.
Just beyond the hour mark, Barcelona got their third goal of the evening – and it was a second for Lewandowski. A flowing move ended with Fermin Lopez cutting the ball back to the Polish striker, who made it 105 Champions League goals by finding the back of the net.
And Barcelona were not done there, as they got a fourth on 77 minutes. Raphinha played in Lamine Yamal, and with only Gregor Kobel to beat, the 17-year-old made no mistake to cap off a wonderful performance from Hansi Flick’s side.
Barcelona will go to the Signal Iduma Park next Tuesday with a very healthy advantage. They are not there yet, but it feels almost certain that they will progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they would face one of Bayern Munich or Inter Milan – the latter won 2-1 in their first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Data debrief: Star-studded frontline propels Barca
Barcelona's success this season has owed much to the talents of their brilliant front three – Raphinha, Lewandowski and Yamal.
With a goal and two assists here, Raphinha became the first player in Champions League history to record more than 10 goals and more than five assists in a single campaign (12 goals, seven assists).
And with 28 goals and 20 assists overall this season, he is the first Barca player to score 20 or more goals and provide 20 or more assists in a single campaign since 2019-20, when Lionel Messi scored 31 goals and teed up 25.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, is up to 34 goals in Champions League knockout-stage games, equalling Karim Benzema. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (67) and Messi (49) have more.
Yamal got in on the act late on, marking his 20th Champions League appearance with a goal. He is the youngest player to ever reach that mark, at the age of 17 years and 270 days, while he is also the youngest player to score on back-to-back appearances in the competition.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
5' Kobel denies Yamal! Teenager's curler saved after slick Barca move!
6' Yamal cuts in from the right and shoots from a tight angle, missing across goal!
7' Hosts push hard, and Lewandowski's powerful effort in the box is stopped!
15' Dortmund chance, but Guirassy is offside as he misses Brandt's deep cross!
17' Highlight from Barcelona vs Dortmund
18' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
23' In the last five minutes with a few tackles flying in and fouls being called!
24' Yellow Card! Adeyemi booked for pulling Jules Kounde's hair!
25' GOAL! Raphinha taps in Cubarsí's goal-bound shot on line! Barcelona 1-0 Dortmund
27' Adeyemi risks a red card after another foul soon after his booking!
31' Highlight from Barcelona vs Dortmund
36' Guirassy, unmarked in the box, pokes the ball weakly into Szczesny's hands!
37' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
40' Lewandowski tries overhead kick but it's too easy for Kobel in the end!
40' Chukwuemeka's shot is blocked as Gittens' follow-up goes straight to Szczesny!
45' Guirassy picks up possession & thunders the ball a few inches wide of near post!
47' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
48' GOAL! Lewandowski nods it over the line from a yard out! Barcelona 2-0 Dortmund
63' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
64' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
66' GOAL! Fermin sends the cross & Lewandowski taps it home! Barcelona 3-0 Dortmund
68' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
74' Yellow Card! Guirassy booked for clashing into Szczesny!
74' Gavi comes on for Lopez, who has been brilliant tonight!
77' GOAL! Yamal finds the latter to toe-poke beyond Kobel! Barcelona 4-0 Dortmund
78' Music starts! Lamine Yamal dancing with Alejandro Balde!
80' Araujo comes on for Martinez in the Barca camp, with Eric Garcia on for Pedri!
83' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
83' Highlight from Barcelona vs Dortmund
85' Match Event for Barcelona vs Dortmund
88' Highlight from Barcelona vs Dortmund
89' Highlight from Barcelona vs Dortmund
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Lewandowski, I. Martinez, De Jong, Raphinha, Kounde, Pedri, Balde, Fermín López, Yamal, Cubarsi
Subs: Christensen, Pena, Ferran Torres, Araujo, Eric Garcia, Fati, Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, Gavi, Gerard Martín, Héctor Fort, Diego Kochen
Dortmund XI: Emre Can, Brandt, Guirassy, Anton, Kobel, Bensebaini, Ryerson, Adeyemi, Nmecha, Chukwuemeka, Gittens
Subs: Meyer, Sule, Özcan, Reyna, Marcel Lotka, Beier, Yan Couto, Daniel Svensson, Duranville, Kabar, Watjen