Barcelona delivered a masterclass in attacking football on Wednesday night, thrashing Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie to take a commanding advantage into the return leg.
Robert Lewandowski struck twice against his former club, following an early opener from Raphinha, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal put the icing on the cake with a classy fourth to seal a dominant performance at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick’s men, the highest scoring side in Europe this season, lived up to their billing with a relentless performance. After a lively start, it was Raphinha who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, nudging in Pau Cubarsi’s flick.
Despite Dortmund’s spirited attempts to respond most notably from Carney Chukwuemeka and Serhou Guirassy Barcelona’s high line and disciplined back four kept the German visitors at bay.
Lewandowski’s second-half brace killed off any comeback hopes. The first came from a well-worked aerial build-up involving Yamal and Raphinha, while the second was a smooth counterattack that left Dortmund’s defense in tatters.
The final blow came via Lamine Yamal, who finished with a stunning toe-poke reminiscent of Romário, after a sublime setup from Raphinha.
With a 4-0 lead, Barça look destined for the semi-finals and with LaLiga and Copa del Rey glory also in sight, whispers of a historic treble grow louder in Catalonia.
