Barcelona Crushes Dortmund; PSG Rallies Past Aston Villa in Champions League Quarters
Robert Lewandowski dazzles with a double against his former club, while PSG's resilience shines with a late surge
Last night's Champions League quarterfinal matches featuring Barcelona and PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) were interesting studies in contrasts.
Both matches, however, showcased the intensity and drama of the Champions League, with standout performances from key players. Barcelona delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the first half, benefiting from a video review that confirmed his goal. Robert Lewandowski, facing his former club, showcased his brilliance with two second-half goals, taking his Champions League tally this season to 11. His calm finishing under pressure was a masterclass in precision. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal added the fourth goal, sealing Barcelona's dominance.
Barcelona's defence remained unyielding, limiting Dortmund's chances and frustrating their attacking players. Barcelona's performance was reminiscent of its glory days, with fluid attacking play and solid defence. It heads into the second leg in Dortmund with a significant advantage. Dortmund's task to overturn the deficit will require tactical brilliance and a near-perfect performance in front of its home crowd.
Elsewhere, PSG overcame an early setback to secure a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes. Morgan Rogers gave Aston Villa an early lead, finishing off a slick team move.
Désiré Doué equalized with a stunning strike from the edge of the area. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's brilliant dribbling and shooting skills put PSG ahead in the second half. Nuno Mendes added a crucial third goal in stoppage time, giving PSG a commanding lead heading into the second leg. PSG's victory reflects its ability to bounce back under pressure, a quality essential for success in the Champions League.
PSG's resilience and attacking prowess were on full display. They now travel to Birmingham with a strong position to advance to the semifinals. Aston Villa, despite its spirited performance, will need to regroup and strategise effectively for the second leg at Villa Park.
