Barcelona Advances to Semis Despite Dortmund Defeat

Barcelona Advances to Semis Despite Dortmund Defeat \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Serhou Guirassy’s hat trick led Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 win, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a 5-3 aggregate deficit against Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals. Despite a dominant second-leg performance, Dortmund exits the competition. Barcelona advances and awaits Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.

Quick Looks

• Final Aggregate: Barcelona advances 5-3 on aggregate despite a 3-1 loss in the second leg.
• Serhou Guirassy Hat Trick: Becomes UCL’s top scorer with 13 goals.
• Early Momentum: Dortmund took control early, scoring first via a penalty.
• Barcelona’s Own Goal Gift: Ramy Bensebaini’s own goal reduced Dortmund’s momentum.
• First Leg Damage: Barcelona’s 4-0 win in the first leg proved decisive.
• Barcelona’s First Loss Since December: Snaps their unbeaten streak in all competitions.
• Dortmund’s Struggles Continue: Now 8th in Bundesliga, unlikely to return to UCL next year.
• Semifinal Matchup: Barcelona to face Inter Milan or Bayern Munich next.

Deep Look

On a night of intensity and near-miracles, Serhou Guirassy delivered a Champions League hat trick that will long be remembered—but unfortunately for Borussia Dortmund, it came in a match where victory wasn’t enough. Despite beating Barcelona 3-1 at home, Dortmund’s quarterfinal journey came to a close with a 5-3 aggregate loss, with the damage from the 4-0 first-leg defeat in Spain proving too much to reverse.

The second leg was a complete turnaround from the first. Dortmund, with nothing left to protect and everything to fight for, came out swinging. Their aggressive press and fearless attacking play threw Barcelona off-balance from the opening whistle.

Guirassy Makes His Mark

Having missed critical opportunities in the first leg, Serhou Guirassy returned with a vengeance. After two missed chances early in the match, he opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute. The penalty was awarded after Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny collided with Pascal Gross, and Guirassy confidently converted.

Dortmund continued to push forward, buoyed by the energy of their home fans and a renewed sense of belief. Just four minutes into the second half, Guirassy struck again—this time with a powerful header, capitalizing on a cross from Ramy Bensebaini. At that moment, the aggregate stood at 4-2, and Dortmund looked like they might script one of the most improbable comebacks in Champions League history.

Costly Own Goal Dampens Momentum

But momentum shifted when Bensebaini—who had assisted Guirassy’s second—scored an own goal, unintentionally directing a cross into his own net. The own goal, though unintentional, was a psychological blow and crucially gave Barcelona breathing room, making the aggregate 5-2 and undoing much of Dortmund’s hard work.

Still, Dortmund refused to back down.

Hat Trick Hero

Guirassy completed his hat trick in the 76th minute with a thundering finish from close range, taking his Champions League goal tally to 13—making him the competition’s top scorer this season. The 3-1 scoreline once again narrowed the aggregate to 5-3, giving Dortmund a glimmer of hope.

But Barcelona, though shaken, managed to hold firm in the final minutes, fending off Dortmund’s attacking waves and securing their place in the semifinals.

A Bitter End for Dortmund

For Dortmund, the exit is particularly painful. The team that reached last year’s Champions League final now faces a challenging domestic road ahead. They currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga, six points away from the top four with just five games left to play. That means Champions League football may not return to Signal Iduna Park next season, a disappointing prospect for a club that prides itself on its European pedigree.

Barcelona’s Return to the Elite

Barcelona’s loss at Dortmund marked their first defeat in any competition since December, and their first Champions League loss since September. But thanks to the first leg dominance, the setback didn’t prevent them from advancing.

Under manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona is undergoing a resurgence. The German tactician had previously won seven straight matches against Dortmund—a streak that ended Tuesday but without consequence for the Catalan club’s campaign. Flick’s squad remains tactically sharp, and their experience in navigating high-stakes moments showed, even when they were outplayed.

Barcelona now moves into the semifinals, where they will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich. Both potential opponents offer tough challenges, but with their confidence soaring and their squad depth intact, Barcelona is once again a serious contender for the European crown.

Key Takeaways:

• Guirassy’s hat trick was heroic but ultimately not enough to overturn a four-goal deficit.
• Dortmund won 3-1, but Barcelona’s 4-0 first-leg win saw them through on aggregate.
• Barcelona advances to the UCL semifinals for the first time since 2019.
• Ramy Bensebaini’s own goal halted Dortmund’s momentum at a crucial moment.
• Guirassy now leads the Champions League in goals with 13.
• Barcelona’s unbeaten run ends, but their European campaign continues.

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