Barcelona took a massive step towards the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, led by a ruthless performance from former BVB striker Robert Lewandowski.
On a night filled with high-stakes action, the Polish star proved unrelenting against his old side.
The match, played at the Olympic Stadium due to ongoing renovations at Camp Nou, saw Barcelona control the tempo from the outset.
Their early pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Brazilian winger Raphinha nudged the ball over the line after Pau Cubarsí’s flick appeared goal-bound. The goal survived a VAR check, bringing early relief for the hosts.
Dortmund struggled to find rhythm despite isolated attempts at goal. Serhou Guirassy twice came close to equalising but lacked composure in front of goal.
Without the presence of key defender Nico Schlotterbeck, sidelined for six months with a knee injury, the German visitors found themselves vulnerable at the back.
Barcelona’s second goal came swiftly after the break. Raphinha turned provider with an acrobatic header across the face of goal, which Lewandowski finished effortlessly at the far post. The combination of pace and precision left the Dortmund defence chasing shadows.
Lewandowski wasn’t done. On 66 minutes, he hammered in his second of the night to make it 3-0. The strike marked his 11th Champions League goal of the season and a personal statement against the club he helped to the 2013 final.
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Teen sensation Lamine Yamal added the finishing touch late in the game with a composed strike, ensuring Barcelona head to Germany next Tuesday with a commanding lead. The performance under coach Hansi Flick was a tactical masterclass, showcasing the team’s balance of youth and experience.
Dortmund captain Emre Can conceded the better side won on the night, expressing hope for a spirited return leg. “We’ll play for pride at home. We’ll give everything,” he said in a post-match interview.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain produced a stirring comeback to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in France. After Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for the English side, PSG responded through Désiré Doué’s long-range strike, a classy finish from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and a late goal by Nuno Mendes.
Arsenal also lit up the week’s fixtures with a resounding 3-0 win over defending champions Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The result strengthens the Gunners’ belief in ending their two-decade wait for European glory.
In Munich, Inter Milan edged past Bayern with a 2-1 win in another thrilling quarter-final clash. As the second-leg fixtures loom, Europe’s elite clubs are gearing up for decisive battles to reach the semi-finals of the continent’s most prestigious tournament.
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