BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski hit a brace to help a devastating Barcelona rout Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in a one-sided Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
Hansi Flick’s Barca are a step away from reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2019 and extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches.
The five-time winners took the lead against last year’s runners-up through red-hot winger Raphinha before Lewandowski reached 40 goals for the season with his double
Teenager Lamine Yamal was an unstoppable force throughout and deftly prodded home Barcelona’s fourth as Dortmund collapsed.
Barca, who last lifted the trophy in 2015 are aiming to seal a final four clash against Inter Milan or Bayern Munich when they visit Germany next Tuesday.
“I think we played very well but we have one more game to go... we always want to play our football and we want to play it there and we will win,” Lewandowski told Movistar.
Flick warned his team that the job was not done yet.
“You never know what will happen, football is a crazy sport, we have to play like today,” he said.
The coach selected his typical side, with only one decision to make — he opted for Fermin Lopez over Gavi in attacking midfield to support the dynamic forward trio.
La Liga leaders Barcelona seized control from the start, opening the scoring after 25 minutes.
Lopez whipped a free-kick to the back post, with Inigo Martinez nodding the ball toward Pau Cubarsi, who turned it toward goal.
The young defender’s effort beat Gregor Kobel and was heading over the line before the tournament’s top scorer Raphinha slid in to make sure, claiming his 12th goal.
The Brazilian winger faced a nervous wait while VAR worked to confirm his strike was onside.
“I was worried on the first goal if I was offside, it’s good that it was valid,” said Raphinha.
“I touched the ball before the line and I apologized to Cubarsi, he told me not to worry, he would count it as an assist.”
Serhou Guirassy spurned a couple of big chances for the visitors to level before the break.
With Dortmund’s first slick attacking move of the game, the forward, who has 10 goals in the competition, was played in but snatched badly at a bouncing ball with just Wojciech Szczesny to beat.
Unsurprisingly Niko Kovac’s Dortmund came to regret Guirassy’s misses, with Lewandowski netting his 10th of the tournament early in the second half.
Yamal clipped a cross to Raphinha, who looped a header over to Lewandowski at the far post to nod home from virtually under the crossbar three minutes after the interval.
Lopez struck the post and lashed inches over as Barcelona searched for a third to kill the tie off. It arrived after 66 minutes, with Lopez teeing up Lewandowski to drill home at the near post.
This was the former Dortmund striker’s 29th goal in 28 matches against his old club, and his 99th in a Barcelona shirt since joining in 2022.
“I am very happy, 99 goals for the club,” added Lewandowski.
“In my head I always have not just winning, but helping the team with my qualities, goals.
“I think strikers always have to think about goals.”
Yamal, who had toyed with Dortmund’s defense all night, deservedly got on the scoresheet as the visitors left themselves wide open and Raphinha sent the youngster through on goal.
The only worry for Barca was Yamal asking to be replaced in the final stages, although he was smiling as he was afforded an ovation.
“He’s fine, he had played too many minutes (lately),” explained Flick.
Barca are aiming for a potential quadruple this season and on this evidence, they will take some stopping.
Dortmund were left licking their wounds.
“We weren’t cohesive enough, and what’s more, we made simple mistakes — at this level they are punished harshly,” Dortmund’s Emre Can told DAZN.
“I think we can do better, even if (the Barca attackers) are so good, I know that.”

RIYADH: Strategic investment is fueling a world-class sports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, as highlighted this week at the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh.

Held under the joint patronage of the Ministry of Sport and the Ministry of Investment, the event has drawn together more than 3,000 media professionals, 140 speakers and representatives from more than 100 sports agencies and channels from 60 countries.

Key themes on the first day included innovation and technology in sports, sustainable sports development, empowering women in sports, global partnerships and economic growth, and sports for health and social impact.

A highlight was a ministerial panel discussion, “From Vision to Execution — Government Integration to Achieve Sports Investment Growth Goals.” Taking part were Deputy Sports Minister Badr Al-Qadi, Deputy Tourism Minister Princess Haifa Mohammed Al-Saud, and Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, assistant investment minister. The session emphasized the importance of cross-governmental collaboration in driving sector growth and attracting private investment.

“There is no doubt that sports and investment are two sides of the same coin,” said Al-Qadi during the opening ceremony.

“Sports have now become a leading industry globally, playing a crucial role in achieving investment and strategic goals, enhancing economic growth and creating opportunities within an attractive environment. We anticipate further significant announcements and partnerships to emerge from the Sports Investment Forum in the coming days.”

Al-Qadi also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to increasing private sector participation in sports, stating an ambition to increase the current level of 15 percent to 25 percent.

This goal is being supported by a range of initiatives, including streamlined licensing processes — something which has already led to a boost in new sports facilities. As of 2024, the Kingdom is home to 2,423 licensed gyms and sports centers, 737 academies and 285 private clubs, underlining the growing accessibility and appeal of sports across the country.

To support this growth, world-class sports infrastructure is being actively developed across the Kingdom, with projects underway in key cities with passionate sports communities.

A proposed sports complex in Taif will encompass 34,650 sq. meters with 23 indoor and outdoor courts, while a complex Makkah’s King Abdulaziz Sport City features 14 indoor and outdoor courts.