In a night filled with high drama and exceptional performance, FC Barcelona advanced to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, as well as Paris Saint-Germain.
Both teams navigated intense second-leg encounters to secure their places in the next round.
Barcelona entered the Signal Iduna Park with a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg against Borussia Dortmund. However, the German side, backed by a passionate home crowd, launched a spirited comeback attempt.
Dortmund’s striker Serhou Guirassy was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick with goals in the 11th, 49th, and 76th minutes. His early penalty conversion set the tone, and his subsequent goals kept the pressure on the visitors. Barcelona’s sole goal came from an own goal by Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini in the 54th minute, providing a crucial buffer.
Despite Dortmund’s 3-1 victory on the night, Barcelona advanced with a 5-3 aggregate score, marking their first semi-final appearance in six years.
At Villa Park, PSG faced Aston Villa, holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg. The French side appeared to solidify their lead with early goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, extending the aggregate to 5-1.
However, Aston Villa mounted a remarkable comeback. Youri Tielemans ignited the rally with a deflected goal in the 34th minute. John McGinn and Ezri Konsa added goals early in the second half, bringing the match to 3-2 and narrowing the aggregate to 5-4.
Despite relentless pressure, PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several crucial saves to maintain the aggregate lead. PSG’s resilience ensured their progression to the semi-finals, where they await the winner of the Real Madrid vs. Arsenal tie.
The Champions League semi-final first legs are scheduled for April 29 and 30, with the return legs on May 6 and 7. The final will be held on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
As Barcelona and PSG prepare for their next challenges, fans can anticipate more exhilarating football as the tournament progresses towards its climax.
