By Barcelona’s dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on April 9, 2025, has been overshadowed by a controversial moment involving Brazilian star Raphinha. The La Liga giants showcased their attacking prowess at the Camp Nou, with Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal all finding the net, but a specific incident has sparked outrage among fans and pundits alike.
“Robbed!” #UCL pic.twitter.com/2jaO4ijACY
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) April 10, 2025
In the 25th minute, Raphinha opened the scoring by poking in a goalbound effort from teammate Pau Cubarsi on the goal line. However, replays showed Raphinha appearing to deliberately steal the goal from Cubarsi, who was set to score. The Sun Football labeled the act as “dirty” and “shameless,” highlighting the moment in a widely shared image on X, where Raphinha is circled in red near the goal line. The post, which has garnered significant attention, included the caption “Robbed!” and accused Raphinha of unsportsmanlike behavior during Barcelona’s win.
Despite the controversy, Barcelona’s performance was otherwise stellar. Lewandowski netted a brace, scoring in the 48th and 66th minutes, while Raphinha also provided assists for Lewandowski’s first goal and Yamal’s strike in the 77th minute. Yamal’s cool finish capped a brilliant night for Hansi Flick’s side, who now hold a commanding four-goal lead heading into the second leg at Signal Iduna Park on April 15. Raphinha’s overall contribution was historic, as he equaled Lionel Messi’s record for the most goal involvements in a single Champions League season, with 12 goals and seven assists in 11 matches, according to Sportskeeda.
However, the focus remains on Raphinha’s contentious goal. Dortmund fans and some neutral observers expressed frustration, with many calling for greater scrutiny of such actions in high-stakes matches. Barcelona, meanwhile, are on the verge of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2018/19 season, but the incident has left a sour taste. As the second leg approaches, the football world will be watching to see if this controversy impacts Barcelona’s momentum or Raphinha’s reputation on the European stage.
