- Barcelona crushed Borussia Dortmund 4:0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash
- Raphinha, Lewandowski (2), and Yamal scored for the Catalan side
- Barcelona extended their unbeaten run in 2024 to 23 matches, a new club record
Key Takeaways:
Barcelona are one step away from the Champions League semi-finals after a dominant 4–0 home win over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. All goals came from the Catalan side’s star trio – Raphinha (25′), Robert Lewandowski (48′, 66′), and Lamine Yamal (77′). The return leg is scheduled for next week at Signal Iduna Park. This marked Barcelona’s 23rd consecutive match without a loss since the start of the year (19 wins and 4 draws), setting a new club record and surpassing their 2016 unbeaten streak.
The first clear chance came for Yamal as early as the fifth minute, but Gregor Kobel saved his skilful effort. Seconds later, the teenager again came close but failed to convert. In the seventh minute, Kobel stopped a dangerous shot from Lewandowski. Following the resulting corner, Yamal attempted another shot, though this time it was off target.
Despite a slight drop in pressure from the hosts, they opened the scoring in the 25th minute with an unusual goal. After a free kick cross, Martínez flicked the ball on with his head to Pau Cubarsí, who redirected it towards goal. Raphinha then sprinted in and tapped the ball over the line from close range. A VAR check confirmed that the Brazilian had stayed onside, awarding him his 12th goal in the competition this season.
These two ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/3hKU0cfHLs
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 9, 2025
The second half began in brilliant fashion for the hosts, who doubled their lead in the 48th minute through a fantastic move involving all three attackers. Yamal delivered a pinpoint cross to Raphinha, who headed it to Lewandowski, and the Pole nodded it in from about a metre out to punish his former club and make it 2–0.
Another chance came in the 63rd minute when López’s low shot struck the post. In the following two attacks, Kobel had to stop further shots from Lewandowski and López, with the latter also missing on the rebound. The pressure paid off in the 66th minute when Yamal played in López, who then assisted Lewandowski’s second of the night with a low shot. It was Lewandowski’s 11th goal in the competition and his 40th of the season.
Barcelona’s clinic continued in the 77th minute. Lewandowski capitalised on an opponent’s mistake to win the ball, quickly passed it to Raphinha, who then set up Yamal with a perfect assist. The youngster finished with a diagonal shot to add his name to the scoresheet. In the closing minutes, Dortmund missed several chances to pull one back, and a late goal by substitute Bynoe-Gittens was ruled out for offside.