Raphinha Unveils Never-Before-Seen Corner Kick Trick in UCL Clash vs Dortmund
Barcelona winger Raphinha pulled off one of the most inventive set-piece moves European football has seen in recent memory during their Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund — and it’s already making headlines.
With Barça leading the German side, the Brazilian international stunned fans and opponents alike by positioning himself outside the field of play just before Lamine Yamal stepped up to take a corner. The move caught everyone off guard.
As Yamal prepared to deliver the ball, Raphinha sprinted back onto the pitch, received a short pass just inside the corner arc, and instantly attempted a whipped cross into the box. Though the delivery was blocked, replays showed a possible handball from a Dortmund defender — sparking heated calls for a penalty that wasn’t awarded.
While the move didn’t result in a goal or spot-kick, it left fans buzzing on social media, praising both the creativity and coordination involved. It’s unclear whether this was a spontaneous trick or a planned routine from Hansi Flick’s playbook, but one thing’s certain — Europe may have just witnessed the birth of a new set-piece trend.
Expect clubs around the world to study this one closely.
Exactly — Raphinha exploited the rules brilliantly. Since a player cannot be offside directly from a corner, his movement from outside the pitch back onto the field is completely legal as long as he re-enters with the referee’s permission (which he appeared to do seamlessly).
What makes it even smarter is how it creates confusion for defenders, who aren’t usually marking players positioned off the pitch. It’s essentially a ghost run into space that’s rarely contested.
Now that the cat’s out of the bag, don’t be surprised if this becomes the next viral trend in European football. You’ll probably see analysts breaking it down in training sessions soon — and some clever managers trying to replicate or refine it.
Raphinha might’ve just dropped the next big tactical innovation.
