Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in a dominant Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night.
Hansi Flick’s rejuvenated side are now on the brink of reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2019, extending their remarkable unbeaten run to 23 matches. The Catalan giants overwhelmed last season’s runners-up with a performance full of intent, pace, and clinical finishing.
Barcelona took the lead midway through the first half when Raphinha prodded home from close range after teenager Pau Cubarsí’s effort had already beaten Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Although there was a brief VAR check, the goal stood, giving the Brazilian his 12th of the campaign.
“I was worried I was offside for the goal,” Raphinha admitted. “I touched it before it crossed the line and said sorry to Pau. He told me not to worry, he’d count it as an assist.”
Despite a couple of half-chances for Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, who fluffed a golden opportunity to equalise before the break, the visitors never truly threatened to turn the tide.
Lewandowski, clinical as ever, doubled Barcelona’s lead just three minutes into the second half, heading home at the far post after Raphinha nodded down a pinpoint cross from Lamine Yamal.
Midfielder Fermin López, who was selected ahead of the injured Gavi, struck the post before setting up Lewandowski’s second goal—a low drive at the near post that left Kobel with no chance. It marked the Polish striker’s 10th goal of the competition and his 99th in a Barcelona shirt.
Yamal capped off a dazzling personal display by adding a fourth late on, coolly finishing after being sent clear by Raphinha. The 16-year-old, who tormented Dortmund all night, was substituted shortly afterwards to a standing ovation, but coach Flick insisted it was precautionary.
“He’s fine, just played too many minutes recently,” Flick explained.
Barcelona, chasing a potential quadruple this season, will travel to Germany next week with a commanding advantage and a semi-final against either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich within reach.
Dortmund, meanwhile, were left reeling.
“We weren’t compact enough and made too many basic errors—at this level, that’s punished,” admitted captain Emre Can. “We can do better, even though Barcelona’s attackers were superb.”
