The Catalan side completely overpowered their German visitors in the first leg
Barcelona outclassed Borussia Dortmund as they strolled to 4-0 win in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Wednesday. The Catalan side took a massive advantage in the tie as Robert Lewandowski struck twice to upset his former team after Raphinha had nipped in to break the deadlock in the first half. A comfortable evening was rounded off by Lamine Yamal's tidy finish to practically guarantee a semi-final spot.
Yamal was leading the charge as the Catalan side dominated from the start. The 17-year-old forced a save from Gregor Kobel early on, but the Spain winger was too greedy moments later when he missed from a tight angle instead of squaring to Lewandowski. The Polish striker was not to be ignored the next time Barca burst forward through Raphinha, who knocked it straight into the middle for the striker, only for him to be denied by another strong stop.
It seemed only a matter of time before the Catalan side would find themselves ahead and the found the breakthrough despite a risky move from Raphinha. Inigo Martinez headed down to Pau Cubarsi to tap it home for his first Champions League goal, only for the Brazilian to rush in and knock it over the line. There was a nervous wait, though, as VAR checked to see if the had strayed offside, but the was allowed goal to stand.
The German side poked through a few times as the first half wore on but were unable to beat Wojciech Szczesny, with Serhou Guirassy floundering whenever the ball found its way to him. They were kept silent in the second-half, making it easy for Hansi Flick's men to push them back.
Within three minutes of the restart, Lewandowski got his first and deserved goal. Yamal's diagonal ball found Raphinha at the back post and he nodded across goal for the veteran to nod in from point blank range. Moments after missing three chances in quick succession, Fermin Lopez led the counter attack for Barcelona, combining with Yamal and then knocking it into Lewandowski's path for a fine finish.
Dortmund hit the self-destruct button late on as a defensive mix-up was pounced on by Lewandowski and fed to Raphinha, who picked out Yamal to send him through to round things off.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Wojciech Szczesny (7/10):
Kept Dortmund at bay as they found a way through occasionally
Jules Kounde (6/10):
Made a few good runs and some important defensive interventions.
Pau Cubarsi (7/10):
Was well positioned to score but was robbed. Looked sound at the back.
Inigo Martinez (7/10):
Let Guirassy slip in behind him in the first half but wasn't troubled in the second.
Alejandro Balde (5/10):
Lucky to avoid a booking for an awful challenge and didn't offer much going forward.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Frenkie de Jong (6/10):
Kept his passing tidy and strolled through the second half.
Pedri (6/10):
Fairly quiet but was smooth as always when on the ball.
Fermin Lopez (7/10):
Was teed up by Pedri but clipped the post and then blundered two more efforts before setting up the third.
Getty Images SportAttack
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Caused trouble early on with a strong shot but should have squared to Lewandowski moments later.
Robert Lewandowski (8/10):
Showed once again he's as sharp as ever. Always looked capable of scoring and delivered two fine goals.
Raphinha (9/10):
Took a huge risk by stealing his team-mates goal but did well to head over to Lewandowski for the second and sent Yamal through for number four.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Gavi (5/10):
Barely got a touch in his 15 minutes on the field.
Eric Garcia (6/10):
Replaced Pedri late for the final 10.
Ronald Araujo (7/10):
Made two great blocks as Dortmund had a big chance near the end.
Ferran Torres (6/10):
Came on for Lewandowski but made a good defensive stop.
Ansu Fati (N/A):
On for Yamal in the 86th minute.
Hansi Flick (8/10):
Nailed it.
