Raphinha equaled Lionel Messi’s iconic club record for most goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign, as Barcelona stormed to a commanding 4-0 first-leg victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.
The Brazilian winger continued his scintillating form in Europe, notching one goal and two assists to reach 19 goal involvements this season—matching the feat achieved by Messi during his legendary 2011-12 campaign.
This unforgettable night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys puts Barcelona firmly in control ahead of the second leg in Germany and underscores their growing dominance in this year’s UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona’s Bright Start: Relentless Pressure from the Whistle
From the opening minutes, Barcelona made their intentions clear, they came flying out of the blocks, swarming Dortmund with aggressive pressing and silky passing.
Within the first seven minutes, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski both came close to scoring, with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel called into action early and often.
Barcelona’s opening goal came in the 25th minute, though it owed much to a chaotic sequence. After Karim Adeyemi bizarrely pulled Jules Kounde‘s hair to concede a free kick, Fermin Lopez whipped in a dangerous delivery.
Inigo Martinez met the ball at the far post, heading it across the six-yard box where Pau Cubarsi stabbed it goalward.
Raphinha, staying just onside, was on hand to slide the ball over the line—his 12th Champions League goal of the season.
Dortmund Fight Back—but Barcelona Pull Away
Despite being under pressure, Borussia Dortmund showed flashes of attacking intent before halftime.
Adeyemi and striker Serhou Guirassy both came close to equalizing, exploiting gaps in Barcelona’s high defensive line. However, their finishing lacked the precision needed to beat Marc-André ter Stegen or the last line of Barcelona’s resolute defense.
Also Check: Xavi Hernández Reflects on Barcelona Tenure and Future Coaching Ambitions
Three minutes into the second half, Barcelona doubled their advantage through Lewandowski.
A beautiful move saw Lamine Yamal float a precise cross to the far post, where Raphinha headed it back across goal for the Polish striker to tap in from close range.
It was Lewandowski’s 98th Champions League goal, and a dagger to Dortmund’s hopes.
Barcelona continued to push with intensity and creativity. Fermin Lopez rattled the post with a low drive and blasted the rebound over the bar moments later.
The pressure finally paid off again in the 66th minute as Lewandowski completed his brace with a clinical finish following a rapid counter-attack, taking his tally to 99 goals for the Catalan giants.
Raphinha Levels Messi’s Record in Style
Raphinha capped off his historic evening by assisting Barcelona’s fourth goal. Another swift attacking transition saw the Brazilian glide past a defender before squaring the ball to Yamal, who slotted home in the 77th minute.
That assist marked Raphinha’s 19th goal involvement in the Champions League this season—tying the record set by Messi in 2011-12.
It was a symbolic moment, not just statistically, but also as a sign of the Brazilian’s rise in European football. His consistent contributions have been key to Barcelona’s return to form in the Champions League, and this performance solidified his reputation as one of the continent’s most dangerous wingers.
Defensive Solidity and Dortmund’s Missed Opportunities
While Barcelona’s attacking display stole the headlines, their defense also deserves credit. Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo were particularly impressive, with Araujo making a crucial double block in the closing minutes to preserve the clean sheet.
Dortmund, despite having spells of possession and chances, couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Guirassy’s timing was off all night, often caught by the offside trap. When he did manage to stay onside, Barcelona’s defense closed him down quickly.
Dortmund thought they had pulled one back in the 89th minute when Maximilian Beier found the net from a Giovanni Reyna assist, but the offside flag denied them even a consolation.
Lamine Yamal Breaks Records, Shines Again
It was also a milestone night for Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest player in history to make 20 starts in the Champions League.
The 17-year-old winger was a constant menace down the right flank. Although he didn’t have his most clinical game in front of goal, his pace, flair, and creativity caused constant headaches for Dortmund’s defense.
His assist and goal contributions throughout the season have added an exciting dimension to Barcelona’s attack, and his composure on the big stage continues to impress fans and pundits alike.
What’s Next: Barcelona Set Sights on the Semi-Finals
Barcelona now head into the second leg of this Champions League quarter-final with a four-goal cushion and all the momentum.
The return fixture in Germany on Tuesday, April 15, will still be a test—especially away from home—but the Spanish side’s performance in the first leg suggests they are strong contenders to reach the semi-finals.
For Borussia Dortmund, the road to redemption will be steep. They’ll need to produce something truly special to overturn this deficit, especially against a Barcelona side that appears to be peaking at just the right time.
Raphinha’s Night to Remember
On a night filled with milestones, Raphinha’s brilliance stood out. Equalling Lionel Messi’s record for goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign is no small feat—and doing it while leading your team to a dominant quarter-final victory makes it even sweeter.
Barcelona’s front three of Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Yamal looks like one of the most dangerous in Europe, and with the team firing on all cylinders, fans will be dreaming of another deep Champions League run.
