Substitute Ferran Torres scored twice, including an 85th-minute winner, as Barcelona edged Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a thrilling Champions League clash on Wednesday.
The victory puts Barcelona on the brink of qualification. It puts them second with 15 points and two games remaining in the Champions League phase.
In an electrifying second half filled with five goals, Torres entered the match in the 71st minute and scored twice within 10 minutes.
His match-winning goal came from a precise Lamine Yamal assist. Despite Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netting twice to equalize on both occasions, the Germans fell short. They dropped to ninth in the standings with 12 points, outside the top eight that secure automatic round-of-16 qualification.
Barcelona dominated possession early on, with captain Raphinha and striker Robert Lewandowski testing Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The visitors maintained nearly 70% possession in the first half, limiting Dortmund’s opportunities.
After halftime in the Champions League, the game came alive. Guirassy appeared to score in the 50th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Moments later, Raphinha capitalized on a sublime Dani Olmo pass to score his sixth goal of the Champions League in the 53rd minute, giving Barcelona the lead.
Dortmund equalized in the 60th minute through Guirassy’s calmly taken penalty after being fouled in the box.
Kobel then thwarted a fierce Dani Olmo attempt, but he was beaten in the 75th minute when Torres converted a rebound after Kobel parried a Frenkie de Jong volley.
Guirassy brought Dortmund level once more just three minutes later, exploiting a lapse in Barcelona’s defense.
However, Torres sealed the victory with his second goal, expertly finishing a through ball from Yamal in the 85th minute.
The match ended on a somber note for Dortmund as defender Nico Schlotterbeck suffered an ankle injury during the final play, requiring treatment after the final whistle.
The win solidifies Barcelona’s position as a strong contender for the next round, while Dortmund faces mounting challenges in their campaign.
