Barca secure UCL semi-final slot in 5-3 aggregate win over Dortmund

FC Barcelona managed to secure their place in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2019 with a 5-3 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund showed their best selves on the day in the crucial second-leg by grabbing the game’s opener through Serhou Guirassy with only 11 minutes on the clock, and that ignited the passion the crowd at the Signal Iduna Park needed to begin believing they could come back.

Barca managed to remain resolute for the remainder of the first half of the game, although the hosts could have grabbed their second on the night prior to the restart.

Nonetheless, that second goal wouldn’t take too long, as Dortmund extended their lead through Guirassy to make a strong case for themselves on the night.

The hosts continued to pile the pressure on Barcelona, yet found themselves in a difficult place after Fermin Lopez’s cross went in after coming off the foot of Ramy Bensebaini.

That crucial goal for Barca meant Dortmund needed three more on the day with about half an hour of action left to play.

20 minutes later, the hosts responded positively yet again with Guirassy grabbing his third on the night to make it 3-5 on aggregate.

Dortmund hoped for more goals to take the game into extra time, yet Hansi Flick’s side showed immense character in the final minutes and managed to book a place in the semi-final of the tournament.

The win means Barca return to the last four of the competition for the first time in six years, when they last lost to Liverpool at Anfield in horrific fashion.

Flick’s side remain strong contenders for the title, yet their performance away at Dortmund showed they can have their bad days, and the Catalans will now face the winner of the Bayern/Inter clash in May in what is expected to be a crunch last four tie.