Torres sinks Dortmund to send Barcelona into knockouts

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Substitute Ferran Torres scored twice in 10 minutes to give Barcelona a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and seal their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

RaphiNha opened the scoring for Barcelona 53 minutes into Germany, latching on to a Dani Olmo pass on the counter, but Serhou Guirassy scored from the penalty spot seven minutes later.

Torres, replacing ineffective former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, tapped in a rebound with 15 minutes to play only for Guirassy to put Dortmund back on track.

As the hosts pressed for a first-place win over Barcelona on their fifth attempt, Lamine fed Yamal Torres on a quick break and the winger drilled the ball past Gregor Kobel.

“Dortmund is a team that always pushes you to the limit,” Barcelona midfielder Olmo told Dazn.

“I think we played a great game and had our chances. I think we can be happy.”

The win ensured Barcelona will at least reach the playoffs while putting them in pole position for a top eight berth and direct qualification for the last 16.

Dortmund suffered their first home defeat in all competitions this season and slipped to ninth place in the Champions League table.

“We played a really good game, (but) we were too naive and just gave away the goals we conceded,” Kobel said.

Blighted by injuries, Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin called a surprise start from his XI, opting for pace and youth to try to capture Hansi Flick’s high-risk, senior visitors.

Sahin gave Julien Duranville, 18, a starting debut while Gio Reyna made his first start this season.

RaphiNha caused Dortmund problems early on and was inches away from a knock before spreading wide with an open goal moments later.

When Dortmund got it out of their own half, they did it through the fleet-footed Duranville, who found Marcel Sabitzer in a crowded penalty area, but he blazed.

The visitors’ high defense was a pre-game target for Dortmund, but the hosts were caught out early in the second half when Olmo RaphiNha laid in hectares of space for the captain to slot home running goals and a low shot.

Pau Comatarsi’s unnecessary push on Guirassy in the box resulted in Dortmund’s Guinea equalizing from the spot.

Dortmund began to play with renewed confidence, but Barcelona hit the counter and Torres turned for a rebound after Kobel parried Fermin Lopez’s volley.

The lead lasted three minutes when Yan Couto spotted Pascal Gross’ run. The former Brighton midfielder weaved his way to Guirassy, ​​who rolled into an empty net after Inaki Pena got out of his area.

But Barcelona picked up their fifth win in six games in Europe when Yamal played in Torres, who was in the corner five minutes to five after a poor first touch.

Dortmund’s injury body is set to worsen and Nico Schlotterbeck has extended himself off the pitch with an ankle injury after attempting to head the level with the final play of the game.