Barcelona’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday night was a night of triumph for the Catalan giants, but it was not without controversy. Brazilian winger Raphinha, despite delivering a stellar performance with a goal and two assists, found himself at the center of criticism in Spain for denying teammate Pau Cubarsí what would have been a landmark moment in his young career.
The incident occurred in the 25th minute at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, when Barcelona took the lead in a match that showcased their attacking prowess. A well-executed set-piece saw Fermín López deliver a free-kick to the back post, where Iñigo Martínez headed the ball down for 18-year-old defender Pau Cubarsí. The teenager deftly flicked the ball past Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, and it appeared destined to cross the line for what would have been his first-ever Champions League goal. However, Raphinha, in a split-second decision, slid in and tapped the ball into the net, claiming the goal for himself.
The moment sparked immediate debate. While the goal stood after a VAR review confirmed Raphinha was narrowly onside—thanks to Dortmund’s Waldemar Anton playing him on—the Brazilian’s actions drew ire from fans and pundits alike. Many in Spain accused the 28-year-old of selfishness, arguing that he had “robbed” Cubarsí of a milestone moment. “You don’t do that to a child!” read one headline from Goal.com, encapsulating the sentiment of those who felt Raphinha’s intervention was unnecessary and unsportsmanlike, given the ball’s trajectory.
Social media erupted with reactions, with some fans labeling Raphinha’s actions as “greedy” and others defending his instinct to ensure the goal. “He knew what he did,” one X user posted, pointing to Raphinha’s post-match apology to Cubarsí as evidence of his awareness. “He was desperate to keep his scoring record going,” the user added, referencing Raphinha’s current status as the Champions League’s top scorer with 12 goals this season.
Raphinha addressed the controversy after the match, revealing he had apologized to Cubarsí on the pitch. “I told Cubarsí that I had touched it and asked him for forgiveness—I even said it would count as his assist,” the winger told reporters. “I was worried if I was offside, but it’s good that it was valid. I thought the ball might go wide; it was an instinctive decision.” Cubarsí, ever the team player, reportedly brushed off the incident, telling Raphinha not to worry and jokingly accepting the assist credit.
Despite the backlash, Raphinha’s overall contribution to Barcelona’s dominant display cannot be understated. Beyond the controversial opener, he provided a pinpoint header to set up Robert Lewandowski’s first of two goals shortly after halftime and later assisted Lamine Yamal’s strike, which sealed the 4-0 scoreline. His 19 goal involvements (12 goals, 7 assists) in the competition this season match a single-season record set by Lionel Messi in 2011-12, underscoring his importance to Hansi Flick’s treble-chasing side.
However, the incident has cast a shadow over an otherwise flawless night for Barcelona, who now hold a commanding lead heading into the second leg in Germany. Critics in Spain argue that Raphinha’s actions reflect poorly on his leadership as a senior player, especially toward a rising star like Cubarsí, who has been hailed as one of La Masia’s brightest prospects. “It’s a football culture thing,” one analyst noted. “Technically, he ensured the goal, but emotionally, he took away a moment from a kid who deserved it.”