In a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy delivered a historic performance, earning the UEFA Man of the Match award with a stunning hat-trick.
Despite Dortmund’s 3-1 victory on the night, Barcelona secured their place in the semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate triumph, marking their first appearance in the last four since the 2018-19 season.
The match, a rollercoaster of emotions for both sides, underscored the fine margins of elite European competition and prompted reflective comments from Barcelona’s key figures, including Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique, whose team also progressed in a parallel quarter-final.
Guirassy’s Record-Breaking Night
Serhou Guirassy, the 29-year-old Guinean striker, was the undisputed star for Dortmund, single-handedly keeping their semi-final hopes alive until the final whistle.
His hat trick began with a cheeky chipped penalty in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a foul by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on Pascal Gross.
Four minutes into the second half, Guirassy headed in a pinpoint assist from Ramy Bensebaini off a corner, igniting the 81,355-strong Westfalenstadion crowd.
His third goal, a powerful close-range strike in the 76th minute following a defensive error by Ronald Araujo, cemented his place in history as the first Dortmund player to score more than 10 goals in a single Champions League campaign, surpassing the previous joint record held by Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.
Guirassy’s 13 goals this season also make him the competition’s top scorer and the highest-scoring African player in a single Champions League campaign.
Despite his brilliance, Guirassy’s efforts were not enough to overturn Barcelona’s commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg in Catalonia. “I’m proud of what we were able to do. Barcelona is a strong team, but we fought until the death. We showed what we can do,” Guirassy told Amazon Prime post-match.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac praised his striker, calling him the team’s “life insurance” and noting his reliance on teammate support to shine. The UEFA Technical Observer Group lauded Guirassy’s clinical finishing, awarding him the PlayStation® Player of the Match for his 17-point performance, far ahead of Barcelona’s Fermín López (6 points) and Dortmund’s Bensebaini (5 points).
Barcelona’s Resilience Amid Setbacks
Barcelona, under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, entered the match with a seemingly insurmountable lead but faced a Dortmund side determined to stage a historic comeback.
The Catalans, who had not lost a competitive match since December 2024, were tested early as Dortmund created two golden chances before Guirassy’s penalty.
The hosts’ relentless pressure exposed vulnerabilities in Barcelona’s usually resolute defence, with Araujo and young centre-back Pau Cubarsí struggling to contain Dortmund’s pacey attackers, particularly Karim Adeyemi and Guirassy.
Barcelona’s response came in the 54th minute when an own goal by Bensebaini, under pressure from Lewandowski chasing a Fermín López cutback, restored a sense of calm for the visitors. Despite the 3-1 defeat—their first loss of 2025—Barcelona’s aggregate advantage held firm.
Flick, speaking to reporters after the match, acknowledged the challenge: “We deserved to reach the semi-finals, but this was a tough night. Dortmund made us sweat, and that’s what the Champions League is about.”
Barcelona will now face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, with their treble aspirations (La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey) still alive, a feat they last achieved in 2015.
Lewandowski’s Lesson for the Young Squad
Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, facing his former club Dortmund, had a quieter night than usual, failing to score despite his 11 Champions League goals this season.
The 36-year-old, who was substituted in the 86th minute for Dani Olmo, reflected on the match as a teachable moment for Barcelona’s youthful squad, which includes prodigies like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Fermín López.
“This match can be a good lesson to all of our young players,” Lewandowski said in a post-match interview. “Champions League is Champions League, and you always have to be prepared—not at 90% or 95%, no, 100%.”
His comments underscored the intensity required at this stage, particularly as Barcelona’s high-risk, attack-minded style under Flick left them vulnerable to Dortmund’s counterattacks.
Lewandowski’s own history with Dortmund, where he scored 103 goals in 187 appearances, added an emotional layer to the night. While he celebrated Bensebaini’s own goal, his lack of direct goal involvement highlighted the struggles of Barcelona’s attacking trident, with Raphinha and Yamal also unable to find space against Dortmund’s organised defence.
Frenkie de Jong Addresses Contract Speculation
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who started alongside Gavi in Barcelona’s midfield and received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge, was pivotal in maintaining control during Dortmund’s onslaught.
Post-match, the Dutchman addressed swirling rumours about a near-completed contract extension with Barcelona, where his current deal runs until 2026. “We’re in the most decisive phase of the season, so full focus on the pitch,” de Jong told reporters.
“After that, we’ll see about my future. I’m happy to play and live in Barcelona.” His comments suggest a commitment to the club but leave room for negotiations as Barcelona navigates a critical juncture in their campaign.
De Jong’s performance, while not as eye-catching as Guirassy’s, was crucial in stabilizing Barcelona’s midfield, particularly after Gavi’s substitution for Pedri in the 59th minute. His ability to dictate tempo will be vital in the semi-finals as Barcelona aims for its sixth Champions League title.
Luis Enrique’s Pride in PSG’s Parallel Triumph
In a separate quarter-final, Paris Saint-Germain, managed by former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, secured their semi-final spot with a 5-2 aggregate victory over Aston Villa, despite a late surge from the English side.
Enrique, speaking after PSG’s match, expressed unwavering confidence in his squad: “I’m proud of my team. I think I have the best team in the world.” His comments reflect PSG’s strong form, driven by players like Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi, as they chase their first Champions League trophy.
Enrique’s connection to Barcelona, where he won the 2015 treble, adds intrigue to the possibility of a future semi-final clash, though PSG’s immediate focus is on their upcoming opponent.
A Night of Records and Reflection
The Dortmund-Barcelona clash was a microcosm of the Champions League’s drama, with Guirassy’s record-breaking hat-trick making him the first player to score a treble in a knockout game and still face elimination, stealing the spotlight.
For Barcelona, the match was a reminder of the competition’s unforgiving nature, as Flick’s side survived despite an uncharacteristically sloppy performance.
Dortmund, meanwhile, exited with heads held high, their fans chanting in appreciation of Guirassy’s heroics and the team’s spirited fight.
As Barcelona prepares for the semi-finals, the lessons from Dortmund will loom large. For Guirassy, the night was a personal triumph, cementing his status as one of Africa’s brightest footballing talents and the Champions League’s leading marksman.
The road to the final in Munich on May 31, 2025, promises more twists, with Barcelona and PSG among the favourites, but the Champions League’s unpredictability ensures nothing is certain.
