FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have advanced to the Champions League semi-finals despite suffering defeats in their second-leg quarter-final matches. The unexpected results showcased the resilience of both teams, proving that their first-leg performances were enough to carry them through.
Barcelona entered their clash against Borussia Dortmund with a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg. However, Dortmund mounted a fierce comeback, securing a 3-1 victory—marking their first win against Barcelona in 2025. Serhou Guirassy was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick that nearly turned the tie around. His first goal came from a penalty in the 11th minute, followed by a powerful header early in the second half. Despite Dortmund’s resurgence, Barcelona managed to hold on, aided by an own goal from Ramy Bensebaini that ultimately sealed their progression with a 5-3 aggregate score. Reflecting on the match, Guirassy stated, “I’m proud of our performance. We showed what we can do. It’s sad that our journey is over.” Meanwhile, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted, “We didn’t play at our best today, but Dortmund did really well. What the team has achieved in recent weeks is phenomenal.”
PSG faced Aston Villa in England, carrying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. The French side initially extended their lead with goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, seemingly securing their semi-final spot. However, Villa responded with a stunning comeback, scoring three goals through Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa to win 3-2 on the night. Despite the loss, PSG progressed with a 5-4 aggregate score, thanks to their first-leg dominance. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma played a crucial role in preventing Villa from scoring a decisive fourth goal.
With their semi-final spots secured, Barcelona will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich, while PSG awaits the winner of Arsenal vs. Real Madrid. The road to the final remains unpredictable, but both teams have proven their resilience under pressure.
