Raphinha matched Lionel Messi’s club record for goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign as Barcelona dominated Borussia Dortmund, taking control of their quarter-final tie.
The Brazilian forward scored one goal and provided two assists, bringing his total to 19 goal involvements in this year’s competition—equaling the record Messi set in the 2011-12 season.
Raphinha’s 12th European goal of the season gave Barcelona a well-deserved lead in the first half. After the break, Robert Lewandowski scored twice, and Lamine Yamal added a fourth goal, putting the Spanish side on track for the semi-finals.
Barcelona started strong, nearly scoring three times in the opening seven minutes, with Yamal and Lewandowski forcing Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, into excellent saves.
The pressure from Barcelona resulted in a goal in the 25th minute, although it was slightly fortunate. Fermin Lopez’s free-kick—awarded after Karim Adeyemi pulled Jules Kounde’s hair—found Inigo Martinez at the far post. He headed the ball across the six-yard box, and Pau Cubarsi attempted to poke it into the far corner. Raphinha, just staying onside, managed to slide in a finish on the line.
Dortmund gradually grew into the game, with Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy both coming close as halftime approached.
However, Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s lead just three minutes after the restart, converting Raphinha’s header across the face of goal from Yamal’s cross.
As the match progressed, Dortmund struggled, making mistakes that gifted Barcelona several more chances. Fermin hit the outside of the post with a powerful strike from 16 yards, only to blaze over the rebound a minute later.
Lewandowski effectively sealed the match with his 99th goal for the club, finishing off a quick counter-attack in the 66th minute with a precise first-time shot past Kobel.
Raphinha matched Messi’s record by assisting Yamal for the final goal in the 77th minute after another swift break.
Barcelona will travel to Germany for the second leg on Tuesday, April 15.
