Serhou Guirassy’s remarkable hat trick lit up Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t enough to overturn Borussia Dortmund’s steep deficit as the German side bowed out of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals despite a 3-1 victory over Barcelona. The Spanish giants advanced 5-3 on aggregate, thanks to their emphatic 4-0 first-leg win.
With nothing left to lose after a disastrous outing in Barcelona, Dortmund stormed out of the blocks, putting the visitors on the back foot from the opening whistle. Guirassy, who had been criticized for missed opportunities in the first leg, led the charge with renewed determination.
The breakthrough came early when Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, brought down Pascal Gross in the area, prompting a penalty. Guirassy coolly converted from the spot in the 11th minute to ignite the home crowd.
Dortmund’s momentum carried into the second half. Guirassy doubled the lead with a precise header in the 49th minute, raising hopes of an unlikely turnaround. But those hopes were dented when defender Ramy Bensebaini inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Barcelona a crucial away goal and easing the pressure on the Spanish side.
Still, Guirassy refused to relent. He completed his hat trick with a thundering shot from close range in the 76th minute, reclaiming some belief for the German side and cementing his position as this season’s Champions League top scorer with 13 goals.
Despite the late surge and a stadium pulsing with energy, Dortmund couldn’t find the two more goals needed to force extra time. Barcelona’s defense weathered the storm and ensured their place in the semifinals.
With this win, Barcelona now prepares to face the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.
For Guirassy, the night was bittersweet. His personal brilliance was undeniable, but the team’s early collapse in the first leg ultimately proved too much to overcome. As the final whistle blew, Dortmund’s players were left to reflect on what could have been, while Barcelona celebrated a hard-earned passage to the last four.
