Barcelona set the sights on Champions League progress with a 4-0 home victory in the first quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona claimed a 4-0 home victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Robert Lewandowsky scored twice, Rafinha scored goals and assists on Wednesday, leaving the Catalan club strong positions to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Ramin Yamal also scored as Barcelona handled hammer blows in Germany’s hopes of advancement.
The return match will take place next Tuesday in Dortmund. Dortmund was runner-up in last year’s final against Barcelona’s fierce rival Real Madrid.
“We played very well, but we still can’t think about the semi-finals,” Lewandowski said. “We scored four goals at home, but we still have the return legs to play.”
Rafina added to the Champions League leading tally by plunging the ball into the open net in the 25th minute for his 12th goal in the competition this season. He then helped set the first goal of the night for Lewandowski on the 48th.
Lewandowski scored his 11th Champions League goal in 66th with a one-timer before Yamal closed out the score in 77th place.
Lewandowski, 36, scored 14 Champions League goals after the age of 35. It’s two more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lewandowski scored 17 of Dortmund’s 105 career goals over three seasons from 2011 to 2014.
The Polish striker, who also leads the Spanish league with 25 goals this season, has reached 40 goals this season.
“In my head, I always want to help my team with my quality and goals,” Lewandowski said. “Strikers need to think about scoring goals all the time. If the team plays well, it’s easier for me.”
Rafina scored in each of Barcelona’s final four Champions League knockout stage matches, scoring seven goals in that period.
He joined the match with 11 goals. This is more than one than Dortmund’s Self-Guarasy and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane.
Also on Wednesday of the Quarterfinals, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s incredible goal was Paris Saint-Germain Beat Aston Villa 3-1, featuring a stunning curling shot from teammate Desire Doue Doue 3-1.
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