Borussia Dortmund played well in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona, but Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick couldn’t overcome a big first-leg deficit. Despite a 3-1 win on the night, Dortmund lost 5-3 on aggregate as Barcelona reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
After Wojciech Szczesny took down Pascal Gross in the box, Guirassy calmly scored a cheeky ‘Panenka’ penalty in the 11th minute to start the encounter. Dortmund pressed forward with conviction after the early breakthrough inspired the home supporters.
Guirassy scored from close range in the 49th minute to trim the lead to two. Dortmund’s momentum was dashed five minutes later when Ramy Bensebaini unintentionally deflected Fermin Lopez’s low cross into his own net, restoring Barcelona’s three-goal lead.
Dortmund persisted. With a weak clearance into the roof of the net in the 76th minute, Guirassy completed his hat-trick and reached 13 Champions League goals this season. Substitute Soon after, Julian Brandt appeared to add a fourth but was called offside.
Dortmund’s aggressive play was led by Pascal Gross, back from suspension. Karim Adeyemi and Bensebaini forced Szczesny to save crucially before halftime. Missed chances and a disallowed goal prevented Dortmund’s legendary comeback.
Barcelona, who overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against PSG in 2017, almost escaped a repeat. They will face Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, with Inter leading 2-1 after the first leg. Niko Kovac said the challenge required “a miracle.” The miracle didn’t happen, but his team’s tenacity was a shining spot in an erratic season.
Dortmund, ninth in the Bundesliga, may finish in the top four and qualify for Europe. Barcelona remains in pursuit of a historic treble. They are four points ahead in La Liga and will play Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final later this month. After the game, Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski said:
While we’re pleased to be in the semi-finals, we realize today’s game wasn’t ideal. Positives exist, and we’ll learn from this. Champions League players must always be ready. Our semi-finals are here, and we’re excited for what’s next.”
