BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 09: In a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, Barcelona faced Borussia Dortmund at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on April 9, 2025. The match saw Barcelona take the lead in the 25th minute thanks to a controversial goal by Raphinha. After a corner kicked from the left, Cubarsi‘s header was redirected by Raphinha, who narrowly avoided offside, before VAR confirmed the goal.
Dortmund started the match looking shaky, with Barcelona dominating possession and creating multiple chances. Just a few minutes into the game, Raphinha had a close opportunity that was saved by Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Kobel. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal also posed a threat throughout the first half, showing skill that left the Dortmund defense struggling.
However, the first caution of the match went to Adeyemi of Dortmund, who received a yellow card for pulling Kounde‘s hair in a frustrated effort to navigate through the Barcelona defense. Despite pressure, Barcelona maintained offensive momentum, often testing Kobel with shots from different players, including Lewandowski and Yamal, demonstrating their attacking prowess.
Dortmund managed rare counter-attacks. A promising chance arrived when Chukwuemeka brought a quick offensive run, but a foul by Balde allowed the defensive line to reset. Coach Niko Kovač had noted there were weaknesses he intended to exploit, but his team struggled to take advantage in this match.
Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick emphasized the importance of not underestimating Dortmund, despite the Bundesliga side’s underwhelming league performance this season, as they fell into eighth place after starting strong. ‘Dortmund have a lot of classy players and they are in the quarters for a reason,’ Flick remarked before the match.
With the game clock nearing its halfway point, Dortmund had briefly looked lively but failed to capitalize on their few chances, including a critical moment when Guirassy, their top scorer, missed a clear opportunity, being offside during the play. It was a frustrating night for the Black and Yellows, who were determined to be competitive and turned to their plan of counterattacking football as their defense continued to falter against Barcelona’s high line.
As the match progressed, the Barcelona crowd grew increasingly vocal, keen on their team extending the scoreline. As the whistle blew to signify the end of the first half, Barcelona went into the break leading 1-0, with Dortmund facing an uphill battle to secure a comeback in the second leg at home next week.
The match highlighted the stark contrast in confidence between the two teams, with Barcelona eyeing a treble this season, while Dortmund looked to reorganize and regroup after recent disappointing league performances. With Raphinha’s goal now in history, the stage is set for the upcoming return match at Signal Iduna Park.
