Ferran Torres scores twice as Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund

A second-half brace by Barcelona substitute Ferran Torres fired them to a fine 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Torres, who was introduced in place of former Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski, scored twice in the final 19 minutes in Germany to cancel out two goals for Serhou Guirassy.

Raphinha had broke the deadlock at Signal Iduna Park after 53 minutes to spark an action-packed second period, which eventually went the way of Barca, who have taken a big step towards a top-eight finish in the league phase of the competition after they moved onto 15 points.

The two teams boasted identical records in terms of results ahead of match day six, but Barca were one space higher than Dortmund in seventh due to a superior goal difference.

Chances were few and far between during an even first half where Raphinha sent an early effort wide before Marcel Sabitzer lifted over the crossbar for the hosts.

Gregor Kobel was required to deny Jules Kounde before half-time, but it was opposite number Inaki Pena who produced an outstanding save to thwart a close-range header from Guirassy.

After a goalless first 45, the second half burst into life when Barca broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute through Raphinha.

Dani Olmo was the architect as he spun away from his marker and played through to Raphinha, who drilled into the bottom corner after he beat the Dortmund offside trap.

The visitors’ joy did not last long as five minutes later and Pau Cubarsi was penalised for a push on Guirassy inside the penalty area.

Guirassy picked himself up and sent Pena the wrong way with his spot-kick to level the scores on the hour mark.

Only a fine stop from Kobel denied Olmo a goal on his return to Germany after Raphina’s cut-back, but Barca did grab a second with quarter of an hour left not long after ex-Dortmund forward Lewandowski had been replaced.

Yamal was involved as his one-two with Kounde set up a chance for Fermin Lopez and while his volley was saved by Kobel, Torres was on hand to fire home from close-range.

Again Dortmund mounted a comeback with Guirassy able to grab his second with 10 minutes left.

Half-time substitute Yan Couto had a key role with his outside of the boot pass able to send Pascal Gross through on goal and he squared for Guirassy to tap into an empty net after Pena rushed out of his goal.

Barcelona would not be denied, though, as following a Dortmund corner, Yamal combined with Torres, who arrowed a shot into the bottom corner in the 85th-minute to help the visitors’ move a step closer to a top-eight finish.