FC Barcelona delivered a commanding 4-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on April 9, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 25th minute, assisted by Pau Cubarsí, setting the tone for Barcelona’s dominance. Robert Lewandowski, facing his former club, scored twice in the 48th and 66th minutes, with assists from Raphinha and Fermín López, respectively. Lamine Yamal sealed the victory in the 77th minute, assisted by Raphinha, matching Messi’s record for goal involvements.
Barcelona’s win extends their unbeaten streak to 23 games, making them the only team in Europe’s top five leagues yet to lose in 2025. Under manager Hansi Flick, they are chasing a historic treble. Dortmund, despite chances from Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy, and a disallowed goal from Henrik Beier, faces a daunting task in the second leg on April 15, 2025, in Germany.
This section provides a detailed examination of the recent match between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, focusing on the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 9, 2025, and its implications. The analysis aims to capture the latest trends, player performances, and team dynamics, ensuring a professional tone suitable for a reputable news platform. All information is based on current data up to April 10, 2025, and is tailored for a general audience with clear, accessible language.
The match, held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, was a significant encounter in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Barcelona, under the management of Hansi Flick, entered the game with an impressive 23-game unbeaten run across all competitions, positioning them as the only team in Europe’s top five leagues yet to lose in 2025. This form underscores their ambition to achieve a historic treble, including the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League titles. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, faced a formidable challenge, having struggled in previous European meetings with Barcelona, where the latter remained unbeaten in five encounters (W3 D2) according to pre-match analysis (Opta Analyst prediction).
The first leg’s result, a 4-0 victory for Barcelona, was a testament to their dominance and tactical superiority. This outcome aligns with current trends in European football, where top teams like Barcelona leverage home advantage and squad depth to secure significant leads in the knockout stages.
The game kicked off with Barcelona asserting early control, culminating in Raphinha’s goal in the 25th minute. This goal, his 12th in European competitions, came from a fortuitous finish following a header by Inigo Martinez and a poke by Pau Cubarsí, highlighting Barcelona’s pressing game and opportunistic attacking play (BBC Sport match report). The first half ended 1-0, but Barcelona’s intensity continued post-interval, with Robert Lewandowski doubling the lead in the 48th minute. His header, assisted by Raphinha from a Yamal cross, showcased the team’s fluid attacking movements. Lewandowski added his second in the 66th minute, a powerful first-time strike under Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, marking his 99th club goal and underlining his clinical finishing against his former club (ESPN game analysis).
The final goal came in the 77th minute, with Lamine Yamal scoring after a quick counter-attack, assisted by Raphinha. This play was pivotal, as it saw Raphinha match Lionel Messi’s record of 19 goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign, a statistic that underscores his resurgence and importance to Barcelona’s European aspirations (BBC Sport match report).
Dortmund, despite the deficit, had moments of promise. Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy came close to scoring, and Henrik Beier had a goal disallowed for offside in the 89th minute, reflecting their resilience but also their inability to convert chances against a solid Barcelona defense led by Pau Cubarsí and Inigo Martinez (ESPN game analysis).
Raphinha emerged as the standout performer, not only scoring and assisting but also creating numerous chances, drawing comparisons to Barcelona’s legendary wingers. His ability to influence the game from the flanks aligns with current trends in football, where wing play is crucial for breaking down defenses. Robert Lewandowski’s double strike, particularly against Dortmund, where he previously played, highlighted his enduring class, with his 99th club goal adding to his legacy. Lamine Yamal, at a young age, impressed with his pace and skill, scoring and assisting, which reflects Barcelona’s investment in youth development as a trend in modern football.
Team statistics further illuminate Barcelona’s dominance: they had 10 shots on target compared to Dortmund’s fewer attempts, and their possession and passing accuracy were superior, as noted in live score updates (Sofascore live score). Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made multiple saves, denying Lewandowski and Yamal at times, but the pressure was relentless.
Barcelona’s 23-game unbeaten run, extending into 2025, positions them as treble chasers, a trend seen in recent seasons with clubs like Manchester City and Bayern Munich. Hansi Flick’s perfect record against Dortmund, spanning six meetings across all competitions, adds to the narrative of managerial impact on team performance, a key trend in football analysis (Opta Analyst prediction). For Dortmund, the 4-0 deficit sets a daunting task for the second leg on April 15, 2025, in Germany, where historical comebacks in the Champions League are rare but not impossible, as seen in past seasons.
Lewandowski’s post-match comment, “We are not thinking about the semifinals yet. Our mindset is always going for the win,” reflects a focus on process over outcome, a psychological trend increasingly emphasized in high-stakes competitions (ESPN game analysis). This mindset could be crucial as Barcelona prepares for the return leg, where Dortmund will likely adopt a high-press strategy to overturn the deficit.
This match exemplifies current trends in football, including the importance of squad depth, youth integration, and managerial tactics in European competitions. For fans and analysts, Barcelona’s performance offers insights into their potential to reclaim Champions League glory, while Dortmund’s challenge in the second leg promises drama. Readers are encouraged to follow updates on the UEFA Champions League official site for live scores and further analysis.
| Statistic | Barcelona | Borussia Dortmund |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 4 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 10 | 3 |
| Possession (%) | 65 | 35 |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
| Offsides | 1 | 3 |
This table, derived from live score platforms, highlights Barcelona’s statistical dominance, aligning with their on-field performance.