In a thrilling night of UEFA Champions League football at Signal Iduna Park, Barcelona secured their place in the semifinals of the 2024-25 season, edging past Borussia Dortmund with a 5-3 aggregate win despite a 3-1 defeat in the second leg.
Guirassy’s Hat-Trick Heroics
Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy delivered an unforgettable performance, netting a brilliant hat-trick to almost single-handedly drag his team back into contention. Guirassy opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded following a VAR review for a foul by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. His composed finish gave Dortmund early hope and lifted the home crowd.
Guirassy struck again four minutes into the second half with a clinical header to double Dortmund’s lead on the night. His third came in the 76th minute, completing a striker’s hat-trick and setting up a tense final 15 minutes as Dortmund chased what would have been a miraculous comeback.
Despite his individual brilliance, Guirassy’s efforts were ultimately in vain, as Dortmund fell short of the four-goal margin needed to overturn the first-leg deficit.
Barcelona’s Crucial Response
Barcelona, despite the early pressure, held their nerve. A critical moment arrived in the 53rd minute, when a dangerous cross from Fermín López was turned into his own net by Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini. The own goal provided Barcelona with a much-needed buffer, meaning Dortmund would need to score two more just to take the match to extra time.
From that point, Barcelona shifted their focus to preserving their aggregate lead. Substitutions were made, including veteran Robert Lewandowski making way for Dani Olmo, as the Catalan side dug deep to resist Dortmund’s relentless attacks.
Late Drama and Defensive Resilience
As the clock wound down, the intensity inside Signal Iduna Park rose to fever pitch. Dortmund thought they had grabbed a fourth goal through Julian Brandt in the 78th minute, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
Barcelona’s defence, led by Szczesny and captain Frenkie de Jong — who was booked earlier in the game — stood firm under immense pressure. The Catalans successfully managed the closing minutes, including four minutes of stoppage time, fending off corner kicks and desperate Dortmund advances.
Aggregate Advantage Secures Semifinal Spot
Having won the first leg 4-0 at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Xavi’s side had built a significant cushion ahead of the return fixture. Although Dortmund delivered an admirable response in front of their passionate home supporters, the task proved too steep.
This result sends Barcelona into their first Champions League semifinal since 2019, marking a major milestone for the club after several seasons of frustration in Europe’s premier club competition.
What’s Next
Barcelona now looks ahead to the semifinals, where they’ll face either Manchester City or Real Madrid — both formidable opponents and former champions in their own right. For Borussia Dortmund, it’s heartbreak, but their fighting spirit and Guirassy’s standout performance will be remembered.
