FC Barcelona left it late to surge to a dramatic 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund to keep their unbeaten record intact against them in five head-to-head matches, which now stands at three wins, two draws. With the win, Catalan moved to second, whereas BVB fell back to ninth, one point behind eighth-positioned Lille.
The first half saw the Catalans dominate the game in possession but not in conversion. On 15 minutes, an exquisite outside-of-the-boot cross by Lamine Yamal presented Raphinha but the Brazilian’s shot veered wide. Dortmund’s attacking effort was at minimal with Marcel Sabitzer skying their best opportunity. At the other end, Gregor Kobel was Dortmund’s saviour as he denied Yamal and Jules Koundé with brilliant saves to ensure all was square going into half time.
The second period of the tie burst into life. Jamie Gittens thought he had given Dortmund the lead five minutes in as he set up Serhou Guirassy to tap home, but his goal was chalked off for offside. Straight away, Barca punished them, Raphinha slotting home Dani Olmo’s pull-back to give them the lead away from home.
Guirassy drew Dortmund level on the hour after being fouled by Pau Cubarsi. Striker confident dispatched the resulting penalty but in no time, Barça was responding swiftly as substitute Ferran Torres turned in after Kobel had parried Fermín López’s shot to restore the lead.
Mom probs Guirassy passed up a gilt-edged opportunity to level, heading over at close range, but made amends when Iñaki Peña’s ill-advised rush out of goal allowed Pascal Groß to tee him up for a cool finish. As Dortmund pressed for a winner, Barcelona delivered from the counter: Yamal found Torres, and he made sure to drill home what was a decisive finish to seal a well-fought three points for the visitors. This victory stands important for Barcelona’s qualification hopes as it also dampens Dortmund’s ambitions in the UCL.
Belgium
