In a dramatic showdown at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund emerged victorious with a narrow 2-1 win against FC St. Pauli Hamburg.
The intense match had everything a football fan could ask for — goals, suspense, and late-game heroics.
With this important win, Borussia Dortmund continues its charge in the league, but FC St. Pauli proved to be a tough opponent, pushing them to the limit.
The game kicked off with high expectations as Borussia Dortmund aimed to assert their dominance early. Despite creating several opportunities, Dortmund struggled to find the back of the net in the opening stages. Early on, both teams traded blows with FC St. Pauli showing resilience and defensive composure.
Dortmund’s first real chance came from Donyell Malen in the 15th minute, whose close-range shot was blocked by the solid St. Pauli defense. FC St. Pauli responded quickly with Oladapo Afolayan testing Dortmund’s backline, but his shot sailed wide in the 16th minute.
Dortmund kept pressing, with Julian Brandt playing a pivotal role in creating chances from midfield. In the 22nd minute, Julian Ryerson unleashed a left-footed shot that was saved by FC St. Pauli’s goalkeeper, Nikola Vasilj. Moments later, another attempt by Pascal Groß was blocked, frustrating the home side’s efforts.
VAR Drama and a Disallowed Goal
The first half saw its fair share of drama when FC St. Pauli thought they had taken the lead in the 30th minute.
Morgan Guilavogui found the back of the net, sparking celebrations from the St. Pauli fans. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the visitors disappointed but giving Dortmund a huge sigh of relief.
Despite the setback for St. Pauli, Borussia quickly regained momentum. In the 43rd minute, Ramy Bensebaini rose to meet a well-placed cross and headed the ball into the bottom right corner, finally breaking the deadlock and giving Dortmund a 1-0 lead just before halftime. The first half ended with Dortmund holding a narrow advantage, but the game was far from over.
Second Half: FC St. Pauli Fights Back
As the second half began, FC St. Pauli showed no signs of giving up. They came out with renewed determination, looking to level the score. St. Pauli’s persistence paid off in the 78th minute when Eric Smith unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box.
The ball flew into the bottom left corner, stunning the Dortmund crowd and bringing the game back to level terms at 1-1.
Borussia , shaken by the equalizer, needed to respond quickly. Coach Edin Terzić made crucial substitutions, including bringing on Maximilian Beier to add fresh legs to the attack. The move would prove to be decisive.
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Late Game Heroics: Guirassy Secures the Win
With the score tied, the match seemed to be heading towards a draw, but Borussia Dortmund had other plans.
In the 83rd minute, Jamie Gittens delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Serhou Guirassy made no mistake, heading the ball into the bottom right corner to restore Dortmund’s lead. It was a moment of brilliance that showcased Dortmund’s resilience under pressure.
FC St. Pauli, to their credit, continued to push for an equalizer in the dying minutes of the match. Danel Sinani had a shot blocked in the 90th minute, and in stoppage time, Adam Dzwigala’s shot from the center of the box flew just over the bar. Despite their best efforts, St. Pauli couldn’t find the back of the net again.
Dortmund held on to their slim 2-1 lead as the match stretched into eight minutes of added time. Maximilian Beier and Jamie Gittens were both involved in crucial defensive plays, earning free kicks that helped Dortmund manage the clock and maintain control in the final moments.
Several players stood out for Borussia in this hard-fought victory. Serhou Guirassy’s late goal was the difference-maker, and his ability to be in the right place at the right time proved invaluable. Julian Brandt was another standout, orchestrating much of Dortmund’s attack and constantly threatening St. Pauli’s defense with his creativity.
Ramy Bensebaini, who scored the opening goal, was solid both defensively and offensively. His headed goal provided the early spark that Dortmund desperately needed. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel also made critical saves throughout the match, ensuring Dortmund didn’t fall behind after conceding the equalizer.
St. Pauli’s Brave Effort Falls Short
Though FC St. Pauli left the pitch without any points, their performance was far from disappointing. Eric Smith’s stunning equalizer was a testament to their fighting spirit, and their defensive efforts, particularly from players like Karol Mets and Jackson Irvine, kept them in the game.
St. Pauli’s pressing in the second half caused Dortmund problems, and their ability to create chances on the counterattack nearly earned them a point. If not for some missed opportunities and a disallowed goal, this match could have ended very differently for the visitors.
