In a thrilling and dramatic encounter, Borussia Dortmund emerged victorious against Barcelona with a score of 3-1 in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on April 15, 2025. The match took place at Signal Iduna Park, where Dortmund’s Serou Guirassy stole the spotlight by scoring a remarkable hat-trick, while Barcelona managed to find the net thanks to an own goal from Rami Bensebaini.
The first leg of this quarter-final had seen Barcelona dominate with a stunning 4-0 win, leading many to believe that they would comfortably advance to the semi-finals. However, the return leg proved that in football, anything is possible. Dortmund, under the guidance of coach Niko Kovac, came out with a fierce determination to overturn the deficit. They started the match with an intensity that left Barcelona reeling.
Guirassy opened the scoring early in the 11th minute, converting a penalty after a foul by Wojciech Szczesny on Dortmund's Gros. This goal not only set the tone for the match but also marked Guirassy's place in Champions League history as he became the highest-scoring African player in a single Champions League campaign, surpassing Mohamed Salah's record.
Barcelona struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Dortmund dominating possession and creating numerous chances. The statistics from the opening 20 minutes were staggering: Dortmund had six shots to Barcelona’s none, four shots on target compared to Barcelona’s zero, and a clear advantage in expected goals (xG) at 1.75. Despite the pressure, Barcelona managed to hold on until the halftime break, trailing only by one goal.
The second half began similarly to the first, with Dortmund continuing to apply pressure. Guirassy struck again in the 49th minute, scoring his second goal of the match, which further increased the tension for the Catalans. Just five minutes later, Rami Bensebaini inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a cross, giving Dortmund a commanding 3-0 lead.
Barcelona finally got on the scoresheet in the 54th minute, when Bensebaini's own goal was followed by a moment of relief for the visitors. However, the task of overcoming a two-goal deficit was daunting, and they needed to score at least two more to stay alive in the tournament.
As the match progressed, the tension in the stadium was palpable. Dortmund had a chance to extend their lead even further when Julian Brandt found the net, but the goal was ruled offside, much to the relief of Barcelona. Despite the setback, Dortmund’s defense held firm, and they managed to keep Barcelona at bay.
As the final whistle blew, Borussia Dortmund celebrated their hard-fought victory, knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League with a 3-1 win on the night and 3-4 on aggregate. Coach Hans-Dieter Flick’s side will now reflect on a season that saw them fall short in Europe, despite their strong domestic performances.
In another quarter-final match on the same day, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faced Aston Villa in a dramatic encounter that ended 3-2 in favor of the English side. PSG had previously won the first leg 3-1, thus advancing to the semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate score. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes scored for PSG, while Aston Villa’s goals came from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa.
With both Barcelona and PSG now confirmed as semi-finalists, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this year’s Champions League. Barcelona will face the winner of the Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich match, while PSG will await the victor of Real Madrid vs. Arsenal. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and potential upsets.
The performance of Serou Guirassy has not gone unnoticed, as he has now been involved in 17 goal-scoring attacks (13 goals and 4 assists) during this Champions League campaign. His record-breaking feat has cemented his place in the annals of Borussia Dortmund’s history, surpassing the achievements of legendary strikers like Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
Looking ahead, Borussia Dortmund will take pride in their performance, having shown resilience and determination against a formidable opponent. Meanwhile, Barcelona will need to regroup and focus on their domestic campaign, as they continue to vie for the La Liga title.
This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of football, where even the most seemingly insurmountable deficits can be challenged. As the Champions League progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see which teams rise to the occasion and which players will become the next stars of European football.
