B.Dortmund vs Barcelona
Ferran Torres, who came on as a substitute in the second half, scored two goals to lead Barcelona to victory against Borussia Dortmund, propelling the team to second place in the Champions League standings.
The second half was marked by intense action, with Raphinha opening the scoring for Barcelona by seizing a pass behind the defense and firing a shot into the far corner of the net.
However, Dortmund was awarded a penalty when teenager Serhou Guirassy was fouled by Pau Cubarsi inside the box.
The young forward from Guinea skillfully converted the penalty, placing the ball into the bottom corner.
Torres then capitalized on a rebound after Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had saved a shot from Fermin Lopez, tapping in the loose ball.
Guirassy managed to equalize once more in the dying moments of the match, as Pascal Gross skillfully maneuvered the ball around Barcelona's goalkeeper Inaki Pena, allowing the forward an easy finish.
Yet, Torres secured the victory for Barcelona in the 85th minute with a precise low shot into the bottom corner.
Achieving a top-eight finish allows teams to bypass the knockout play-off round, ensuring a place in the last 16.
During a goalless first half in Germany, Raphinha failed to convert an early cross from Lamine Yamal.
Shortly thereafter, Marcel Sabitzer missed a close-range opportunity, sending Julien Duranville's cutback over the bar as both teams created early scoring chances.
After the break, Guirassy appeared to score by tapping in at the back post, but Jamie Gittens was ruled offside during the build-up, nullifying the goal.
Substitute Ferran Torres made a significant impact by scoring two goals, including a decisive winner in the 85th minute, as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, edging closer to qualification.
The second half was a thrilling display of football, featuring five goals, with Torres netting twice within a span of ten minutes after his introduction in the 71st minute. This victory brought Barcelona to 15 points, placing them second in the group with two matches left in the league phase.
Dortmund managed to equalize twice, with Serhou Guirassy contributing both goals, but they were unable to respond a third time following Torres's goal, which was assisted by Lamine Yamal.
As a result, Dortmund fell to ninth place with 12 points, while the top eight teams automatically advance to the round of 16.
"We can take great satisfaction from our performance," stated Barcelona coach Hansi Flick during the post-match press conference. "The first half was excellent, and in the second half, despite their goals, we maintained our composure and solidity.
"Dortmund played exceptionally well, showcasing players with impressive pace, but we managed to handle the situation effectively. The goals we conceded were due to our own errors. There is always room for improvement, but today, I must commend the team for their outstanding performance."
Barcelona dominated possession from the outset, with captain Raphinha and leading scorer Robert Lewandowski creating early opportunities.
Dortmund responded with a chance from Marcel Sabitzer, but it was the Dortmund goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, who faced significant pressure during a largely one-sided first half, as the visitors controlled nearly 70% of possession.
After the break, Dortmund appeared more dynamic, and Guirassy found the net in the 50th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
However, Raphinha capitalized on a brilliant pass from Dani Olmo to score in the 53rd minute, giving Barcelona the lead with his sixth goal of the tournament. The hosts equalized with Guirassy's well-executed finish.
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