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Raphiha admitted Pau Cubarsi deserved that goal as the ball would have crossed the line even without his final touch.
Raphiha slip in to snatch Pau Cubarsi’s goal (AP)
Borussia Dortmund were blown away by a spirited Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Raphinha emerged as the star of the night at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. The Brazilian winger registered one goal and provided two assists as Barcelona notched a 4-0 victory in the home fixture. His strike, which put Barcelona in front in the 25th minute, was filled with drama. Pau Cubarsi pulled off a brilliant header from a corner and the ball looked destined for the goal. Raphinha, however, came sliding in at the last moment and slotted it home with his toe.
Speaking at the post-match show, Raphiha admitted that Cubarsi deserved that goal as the ball would have crossed the line even without his final touch. It might just be the striker’s instinct but the 28-year-old forward made sure to apologise to his teammate for his interference.
“I apologised to Pau because the ball was going in. He told me he wasn’t bothered and he was going to take it as another assist for him!” Raphinha told the reporters, as quoted by Marca.
Raphinha currently has 19 goal contributions in the ongoing Champions League and needs two more goals or assists to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s single-season record of 21. Raphinha, however, remains unbothered about the record books.
Raphinha has already equalled Lionel Messi’s record of scoring 12 goals in a single Champions League season. The Argentine achieved the feat in the 2011-12 season. With the likelihood of playing three more matches, Raphinha may surpass Messi to better the record.
After breaking the deadlock, Raphinha set up a goal for Robert Lewandowski with a header to make it 2-0. The Polish striker completed his brace in the 66th minute. Raphinha came up with a magical through ball that found Lamine Yemal inside the box. The teenager put the game to dead by scoring the fourth goal for Barcelona.
With one foot into the Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona will now shift their focus to the domestic scene. Hansi Flick’s men will face Leganese in the next La Liga fixture, scheduled for Sunday, April 13.
- Location :
Barcelona, Spain
