Barcelona booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund, despite a 3-1 defeat in the second leg at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.
A stunning hat-trick from Serhou Guirassy nearly inspired a miraculous comeback for the German side, but an own goal from Ramy Bensebaini — forced by Fermin Lopez — proved crucial in helping the visitors hold off Dortmund’s spirited charge.
Dortmund’s Dream Start
Trailing 4-0 from the first leg, Dortmund needed an early goal, and they got it in the 11th minute when Guirassy calmly converted a Panenka penalty after Wojciech Szczesny brought down Pascal Gross.
The striker doubled the lead early in the second half, heading home from a corner to ignite the hopes of the 81,000-strong home crowd.
With Barcelona wobbling, Fermin Lopez’s burst down the right created a critical moment — his whipped cross deflected off Bensebaini and into the net, restoring Barcelona’s three-goal aggregate cushion.
Guirassy’s Historic Night
Guirassy wasn’t finished. The 29-year-old Guinean completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, blasting in from close range after dazzling wing play by teenage sensation Julian Duranville.
Moments later, Julian Brandt thought he had made it 4-1 on the night, but the goal was ruled out for offside — a key reprieve for a Barcelona side under siege.
Despite the loss, Barcelona advanced and remain in the hunt for a continental treble, 10 years after their historic 2015 triumph.
Flick Focused on the Bigger Picture
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s overall progress, saying, “What the team has shown in the past few weeks is incredible. We’ve got a lot ahead of us this season. We’re a step further, but we’re not even close to the end.”
Despite carrying a commanding first-leg lead, Flick resisted the urge to rotate, fielding a full-strength front line of Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha.
Dortmund Exit with Pride
“I’m proud of what we were able to do,” said Guirassy, who now leads the Champions League scoring charts with 13 goals. “We fought until the death. We showed what we can do.”
The performance was a strong response to their heavy defeat in Catalonia, and although they bow out, Dortmund’s display — especially Guirassy’s heroics — will be remembered fondly.
What’s Next
Barcelona now await the winner of the heavyweight quarter-final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. On the other side of the bracket, Paris Saint-Germain will take on Arsenal, who look set to advance after a 3-0 first-leg win over Real Madrid.