### Barcelona Survives Dortmund's Late Surge to Secure Champions League Semifinal Spot In a thrilling UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match, FC Barcelona managed to advance to the semifinals despite suffering a 3-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the second leg. This result followed a commanding 4-0 victory in the first leg, allowing Barcelona to progress with a 5-3 aggregate score. The match showcased a remarkable performance from Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy, who scored a hat-trick, but it ultimately fell short of overturning the deficit established in the first leg. Barcelona's resilience under pressure marked a significant moment as they reached the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2019 [https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/barcelona-escape-borussia-dortmund-remontada-despite-guirassys-hat-trick-hansi-flicks-side-reach-ucl-semis-101744768309012.html]. ### Breakdown of the Match and Its Implications 1. **Match Overview**: - Barcelona entered the second leg with a 4-0 lead from the first match. - Dortmund's Guirassy scored three goals, leading to a tense finish. - Despite the loss, Barcelona advanced due to their aggregate lead. 2. **Key Players**: - **Serhou Guirassy**: His hat-trick was a standout performance, but it was not enough to secure advancement for Dortmund [https://www.business-standard.com/sports/football-news/guirassy-hat-trick-not-enough-as-barcelona-reach-champions-league-semis-125041600158_1.html]. - **Barcelona's Defense**: The team had to withstand significant pressure, showcasing their ability to hold onto their aggregate lead despite a shaky performance in the second leg. 3. **Historical Context**: - This marks Barcelona's first semifinal appearance in the Champions League since 2019, highlighting a resurgence in their European campaign [https://www.firstpost.com/sports/football-news/barcelona-reach-champions-league-semi-final-borussia-dortmund-fightback-13880277.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Aggregate Score**: Barcelona 5 - 3 Borussia Dortmund - **Match Results**: - First Leg: Barcelona 4 - 0 Dortmund - Second Leg: Dortmund 3 - 1 Barcelona - **Guirassy's Performance**: Scored all three goals for Dortmund in the second leg, demonstrating his striking prowess [https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/guirassys-hat-trick-in-vain-for-dortmund-as-barcelona-advances-to-champions-league-semis/article69455365.ece]. ### Conclusion: A Narrow Escape for Barcelona In summary, **Barcelona's advancement to the Champions League semifinals was a testament to their strong first-leg performance**, which allowed them to withstand a fierce comeback attempt from Borussia Dortmund. The match highlighted both the potential of Dortmund's attacking capabilities, led by Guirassy, and Barcelona's defensive resilience. 1. **Barcelona's Aggregate Victory**: They secured a 5-3 aggregate win despite a loss in the second leg. 2. **Dortmund's Efforts**: Guirassy's hat-trick showcased individual brilliance but was ultimately in vain. 3. **Future Implications**: Barcelona's return to the semifinals could signal a revival in their European fortunes [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/football/guirassy-hattrick-goes-in-vain-as-barcelona-proceed-to-ucl-semi-final-despite-losing-3-1-to-dortmund-in-second-leg].