Borussia Dortmund delivered a commanding 3-1 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in their final UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase matchday at Signal Iduna Park. Despite the win, results elsewhere went against them, forcing Der BVB into a playoff to secure a spot in the Round of 16. While the German giants extended their unbeaten record against Ukrainian opposition to nine matches (W7, D2), they now face a crucial two-legged tie against either Sporting CP or Club Brugge.
Dominance From the Start
As expected, Dortmund came out strong, dictating the tempo and pressing high. Their breakthrough came in the 16th minute, courtesy of a costly error from Shakhtar’s midfield. A weak backpass was intercepted by Nico Schlotterbeck, who lofted the ball into the danger zone. Karim Adeyemi’s strike was redirected across the line by Serhou Guirassy, setting the iconic Yellow Wall into a frenzy. This marked Guirassy’s sixth goal in an impressive UCL campaign.
Shakhtar’s rare counterattacks were handled well, with Schlotterbeck making a vital block to deny Heorhiy Sudakov an equalizer. Dortmund capitalized on another defensive lapse soon after. Maximilian Beier’s pinpoint long ball was expertly controlled by Julian Brandt, who set up Guirassy for his second goal, doubling BVB’s advantage just before halftime.
Shakhtar Fights Back But Dortmund Stays Firm
At halftime, the reality set in: Dortmund needed a bigger margin to avoid the playoffs. They pushed forward, with Guirassy nearly completing his hat-trick, only for Shakhtar’s goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to make a stunning point-blank save. However, against the run of play, Shakhtar found a way back when Gregor Kobel’s costly touch gifted Marlon Gomes an easy finish, making it 2-1.
For a moment, Dortmund fans feared a repeat of their recent collapse against Werder Bremen. But the hosts remained relentless. Riznyk continued to frustrate BVB, making a highlight-reel save from Ramy Bensebaini’s powerful header.
A Moment of Magic Secures the Win
With time running out and Shakhtar visibly exhausted, Dortmund sealed the deal in the 79th minute with a moment of brilliance. Gio Reyna’s exquisite backheel pass found Bensebaini, who produced a delightful chip over Riznyk, restoring Dortmund’s two-goal cushion.
Despite the victory, Dortmund finished 10th in the overall standings, meaning they must now go through a tense playoff to reach the UCL Round of 16. Having advanced from the group stage in five of their last six UCL campaigns, Der BVB will be determined to navigate this challenge successfully.
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Final Thoughts
Borussia Dortmund proved their quality with a dominant display against Shakhtar Donetsk. However, their UCL journey is far from over. The playoff round presents a new challenge, but if they maintain their attacking form, they have every chance of making it to the Round of 16. Kenyan fans should keep an eye on this exciting battle as the UCL drama unfolds!
