FC Barcelona delivered a masterclass performance, overwhelming Borussia Dortmund with a 4-0 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. This emphatic win not only underscores Barcelona's resurgence on the European stage but also places them in a commanding position ahead of the return leg.
From the opening whistle, Barcelona asserted dominance, displaying fluid passing and relentless attacking movements that kept Dortmund on the back foot. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Raphinha capitalized on a defensive lapse.
Building on this momentum, Barcelona intensified their offensive efforts in the second half. Robert Lewandowski, facing his former club, showcased his striking prowess with two goals.
The rout was completed in the 77th minute by the young sensation Lamine Yamal. Capitalizing on a swift counterattack, Yamal received a through ball from Gavi, outpaced his marker, and calmly finished past the onrushing goalkeeper. At just 16 years old, Yamal's composure and maturity on such a grand stage drew widespread acclaim.
Defensively, Barcelona remained resolute, with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny making crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. The defensive pairing of Ronald Araújo and Eric García effectively neutralized Dortmund's attacking threats, ensuring a comprehensive team performance.
This victory marks one of Barcelona's most dominant European performances in recent years and brings them closer to their first Champions League semifinal appearance in six years. Manager Hansi Flick praised the team's cohesion and emphasized the importance of maintaining focus ahead of the second leg in Germany. Dortmund, on the other hand, faces a monumental task to overturn the four-goal deficit and will need a near-perfect performance to keep their Champions League hopes alive.