Raphinha equaled Lionel Messi’s club record for goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign as Barcelona overwhelmed Borussia Dortmund in a dominant quarter-final first-leg performance.
The Brazilian winger scored once and provided two assists, taking his total to 19 goal involvements this season in the competition—matching Messi’s tally from the 2011–12 campaign.
Raphinha opened the scoring with his 12th European goal of the season, capping off a strong first-half display from Barcelona.
Robert Lewandowski netted twice after the break, and Lamine Yamal added a fourth, giving the Catalan giants a commanding lead ahead of the return leg.
Barcelona started strongly, nearly scoring three times in the opening seven minutes, with Yamal and Lewandowski both denied by Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute from a somewhat scrappy set-piece routine.
Fermin Lopez’s free-kick found Inigo Martinez at the far post, who headed across goal.
Pau Cubarsi’s effort was sliding just wide until Raphinha ensured it crossed the line while staying just onside.
Dortmund threatened briefly before halftime through Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy, but Barcelona resumed control after the break. Lewandowski tapped in Raphinha’s headed assist three minutes into the second half before making it 3–0 on a swift counter-attack, notching his 99th goal for the club.
Raphinha then turned provider again, setting up Yamal for the fourth goal in the 77th minute, thereby equaling Messi’s record.
Barcelona will head to Germany for the second leg on Tuesday, 15 April, firmly in the driver’s seat.
