Barcelona have put one foot in the semi-finals of the 2024-25 Champions Leaguehaving beaten Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final affair in Catalonia on Wednesday night.
Raphinha got Barcelona underway in the 25th minute, before Robert Lewandowski netted twice to send the Catalan giants three goals ahead, giving Dortmund a mountain to climb in the last-eight tie.
It went from bad to worse for the Bundesliga team late on, though, as Lamine Yamal got in on the act to score a fourth for Hansi Flick‘s side, who will head to Germany next week looking to complete their assignment.
Lewandowski’s brace made him the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to score 40 goals in all competitions this season, and it was another glorious performance from the 36-year-old.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
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Whisper it quietly, but this Barcelona side are going to take some stopping in the Champions League this season.
There are some wonderful teams in the quarter-finals of the competition, but Barcelona are head and shoulders above the rest at the moment, and it would be quite surprising if they did not win the tournament considering their form.
Flick has a wonderful defence and an incredibly talented midfield, but the front three are simply majestic, with Raphinha, Lewandowski and Yamal all showing their quality on Wednesday night.
Dortmund did their best to force the issue, with the German outfit actually finishing the match with 13 attempts, but Barcelona had 18, with 10 of those on target, and it could have been even more comfortable on the night.
Barcelona’s last Champions League success came in 2015, so it is about time that the Catalan side won it again, and a treble is very much on in the latter stages of the campaign, with Flick doing a tremendous job at the helm.
Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund Highlights
Raphinha Goal Vs. Borussia Dortmund (25th Min, Barcelona 1-0 Dortmund)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 25th minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Raphinha, who turns into the back of the net from close range after Pau Cubarsi had poked the ball towards goal inside the Dortmund box.
Robert Lewandowski Goal vs. Borussia Dortmund (48th min, Barcelona 2-0 Dortmund)
Barcelona double their lead in the early stages of the second period, and it is Lewandowski on the scoresheet, as the experienced striker nods into the back of the net from close range following a brilliant header from Raphinha.
Robert Lewandowski Goal vs. Borussia Dortmund (66th min, Barcelona 3-0 Dortmund)
Barcelona score their third of the match in the 66th minute, and it is a second of the game for Lewandowski, who sweeps a cross from Fermin Lopez into the back of the net; Dortmund just cannot live with Barcelona here.
Lamine Yamal Goal vs. Borussia Dortmund (77th min, Barcelona 4-0 Dortmund)
One foot in the semi-finals for Barcelona, as Yamal makes it four, with the Spaniard picking out the bottom corner following another quick break from the hosts; surely there is no way back for Dortmund in this tie.
MAN OF THE MATCH – RAPHINHA
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It was so, so difficult to separate Raphinha and Lewandowski, with both players in sensational form, but the former just gets the nod considering his overall performance, with Dortmund unable to live with him.
The Brazilian came up with one goal and two assists on the night, and there was just no stopping the 28-year-old, who has been one of the standout players in world football during a glorious campaign.
Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund Match Stats
Possession: Barcelona 60% -40% Borussia Dortmund
Shots: Barcelona 18-13 Borussia Dortmund
Shots on target: Barcelona 10-3 Borussia Dortmund
Corners: Barcelona 4-6 Borussia Dortmund
Fouls: Barcelona 5-12 Borussia Dortmund
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WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona’s attention will now switch back to La Liga, with the Catalan outfit heading to Leganes on Saturday night; Flick’s side are currently top of the The Table Leaguefour points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.
As for Dortmund, who are eighth in the Bundesliga tablethe German outfit have the small matter of a trip to the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening to tackle Bayern Munich.
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