Barcelona have reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2019, despite suffering a 3-1 loss in the second leg of their quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Barcelona’s resilience in the first leg, where they secured a 4-0 win, proved enough for them to advance with a 5-3 aggregate victory over the German side.

The match began with a strong start from Dortmund, who knew they needed a significant result to overturn the large deficit from the first leg. It took just 11 minutes for Dortmund to open the scoring. Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was penalized for a foul on Pascal Gross in the box, and Serhou Guirassy confidently stepped up to take the penalty. His audacious Panenka effort sailed past Szczesny to make it 1-0 on the night, reducing the aggregate score to 4-1 in Barcelona’s favor. The hosts were visibly buoyed by the early goal, and their momentum continued into the second half.

Shortly after the break, Dortmund struck again, with Guirassy scoring his second goal of the game in the 49th minute. A well-placed header from close range found the back of the net, bringing the aggregate score to 4-2, and Dortmund now seemed to have a real chance of staging a comeback. With their attacking intensity, they continued to push for more goals, creating a tense atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park. However, Barcelona’s defense remained solid for the most part, even as Dortmund looked increasingly dangerous.

Barcelona managed to respond against the run of play in the 60th minute. A cross from Fermin Lopez deflected off Ramy Bensebaini, the Dortmund defender, and into his own net, giving Barcelona a crucial 2-1 lead on the night and restoring their two-goal aggregate advantage at 5-3. The own goal dampened the spirits of the home crowd and was a bitter blow for Dortmund as they tried to claw their way back into the tie.

As Dortmund continued to press, Guirassy completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute with a clinical finish after a defensive error from Ronald Araujo left him with an easy chance. The goal made it 3-1 on the night, but with the aggregate score still at 5-3 in favor of Barcelona, it was clear that Dortmund’s hopes of making a dramatic comeback were fading fast. Guirassy’s hat-trick also put him at the top of the Champions League scoring charts for the season, a personal achievement that highlighted his impressive performance throughout the campaign.

Despite Dortmund’s relentless push in the final stages of the match, Barcelona remained composed, defending resolutely and keeping their two-goal advantage intact. The visitors were able to see out the remaining minutes of the match, securing their place in the semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win. The result means that Barcelona will now face either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan in the semi-finals, with the second leg of that tie scheduled for Wednesday. Barcelona’s return to the final four of the Champions League represents a significant achievement for the club under new head coach Hansi Flick, who has revitalized the team since taking over earlier this season.

For Barcelona, this victory marks their first appearance in a Champions League semi-final since 2019, and they will now look to continue their pursuit of European glory. The journey to the final remains full of challenges, but with the momentum from their aggregate win over Dortmund, Barcelona will feel confident about their chances. The team’s blend of youthful talent and experienced leadership under Flick will undoubtedly make them a formidable force in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s hopes of progressing were dashed, but their performance throughout the quarter-finals, especially in the second leg, will surely be remembered as one of their proudest moments in European competition despite the outcome.