In a thrilling encounter at the Signal Iduna Park, FC Barcelona's 24-game unbeaten streak in 2025 came to an unexpected end as they fell 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on April 15, 2025. Despite the loss, Barcelona advanced to the semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate score, marking their first return to the Final Four in six years.
The match began with Borussia Dortmund showcasing their intent to overturn a daunting 4-0 deficit from the first leg. The home side's high press and aggressive play put Barcelona on the back foot right from the start. Just ten minutes in, Wojciech Szczesny fouled Pascal Gross inside the box, leading to a penalty converted by Serhou Guirassy, who gave Dortmund an early lead and hope.
As the match progressed, the atmosphere in the stadium intensified, with Dortmund fans rallying behind their team. Barcelona struggled to find their rhythm, frequently losing possession under pressure. Gross almost doubled the lead, but his effort was ruled offside, allowing the visitors to escape further damage.
At halftime, Barcelona was fortunate to be only one goal down, as they had been thoroughly outplayed. Coach Hansi Flick made no substitutions at the break, and the second half began much like the first. Just four minutes in, Guirassy struck again, heading in a corner to make it 2-0, cutting the aggregate deficit to 4-2. The tension mounted for Barcelona, who now faced a potential disaster.
However, relief came five minutes later when a deflected cross from Fermín López found the back of the net after hitting Dortmund's Ramy Bensebaini, giving Barcelona a crucial lifeline. With the score at 2-1, Barcelona introduced Pedri, hoping his presence would stabilize the midfield and control the game.
For a time, it appeared that Barcelona had regained their composure, but a catastrophic error from Ronald Araujo allowed Guirassy to complete his hat-trick in the 76th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and making it 3-1. Just a minute later, Dortmund nearly scored again, but Julian Brandt's effort was disallowed for offside, leaving the aggregate score at 5-3.
As the final whistle approached, Barcelona found themselves under siege, needing to defend desperately against a relentless Dortmund side. Szczesny made several key saves to keep his team in the game, and the Catalans ultimately held on to secure their place in the semi-finals, albeit with a bitter taste from the defeat.
After the match, both teams demonstrated commendable sportsmanship. Barcelona took to social media to congratulate Dortmund, acknowledging how challenging they had made it for the Catalans to progress. "You've made it very difficult for us; you've been a great rival. Good luck for the rest of the season, and we'll see you next time, @BlackYellow," Barcelona tweeted. Dortmund reciprocated, wishing Barcelona well and encouraging them to win the Champions League.
The match statistics highlighted Dortmund's dominance, with Guirassy's hat-trick being the standout performance. His three goals, including the penalty and two opportunistic finishes, showcased his skill and determination. Despite the loss, the performance left a mark, and Dortmund will be looking to build on this momentum in future competitions.
Barcelona's lineup featured key players like Szczesny, Kounde, and Lewandowski, but it was evident that the absence of Pedri in the starting XI affected their fluidity. The team will need to regroup and reflect on this match as they prepare for the challenges ahead. With their place in the semi-finals secured, Barcelona will be eager to make a deeper run in the tournament.
As for Dortmund, this match showcased their potential and fighting spirit. While they exit the tournament, the performance against a formidable opponent like Barcelona will give them confidence moving forward. With a thrilling conclusion to this quarter-final tie, the Champions League continues to deliver excitement and drama.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will face tougher opponents in the semi-finals, and they will need to address the defensive lapses that allowed Dortmund to capitalize. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund can take pride in their performance and will aim to build on this foundation as they look to challenge for silverware in their domestic league.
