On January 17, 2026, Borussia Dortmund secured a thrilling 3‑2 victory over St. Pauli at Signal Iduna Park, earning three crucial points in the Bundesliga’s 18th round and strengthening their bid for a European‑cup place. The win was sealed by Lucas Hau’s late strike, showcasing Dortmund’s resilience and attacking depth in front of a roaring home crowd.
Match Timeline
The home side opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Bernardo Silva found the net, setting the tempo early. St. Pauli responded quickly, equalising at 27 minutes through Felix Blumenschein after exploiting a defensive lapse.
In the second half, Dortmund took the lead again at the 55th minute when Doslow delivered a precise cross that was finished into the far corner, making it 2‑1. St. Pauli fought back and levelled the match at 68 minutes with a well‑taken corner.
The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute: young striker Lucas Hau received a through ball inside the box, beat his marker and placed a powerful shot into the top corner, sealing the 3‑2 win.
Context and Background
Before the clash, Dortmund sat sixth in the table with 31 points, just two points shy of the Europa League qualification spots. A narrow 1‑0 loss to Hamburg in the previous round had raised concerns, prompting head coach Edin Terzić to emphasize the need for an attacking resurgence.
St. Pauli, positioned 15th with 22 points, viewed the encounter as a vital fight for survival. A victory would have lifted them out of the relegation zone and boosted morale.
Tactical Analysis
Defensive Pressing
Terzić continued his high‑pressing approach, using the home advantage to dominate midfield spaces. Dortmund’s players transitioned from defense to attack within 2–3 seconds, creating the opening goal at 55 minutes.
Counter‑Attack Flexibility
St. Pauli, under Klaus Geberts, displayed effective counter‑attacking movements, which helped them equalise. However, fatigue after the 70th minute weakened their defensive organisation, allowing Dortmund to exploit the gaps.
Impact on the League Table
- Dortmund: Victory moved them up to sixth place, edging closer to the coveted Europa League spots and keeping the pursuit of a Champions League‑qualifying fourth place alive.
- St. Pauli: The loss left them with 22 points, still battling to escape relegation and highlighting the need for defensive stability.
Future Outlook
Next round Dortmund face Augsburg, a team known for its resilience in the latter half of the season. Terzić will look to maintain momentum and possibly climb to fifth place.
St. Pauli’s upcoming challenge is against Wolfsburg, a crucial match in their survival fight. The coaching staff must reassess defensive tactics to avoid repeat mistakes.
Summary
The dramatic 3‑2 comeback underscored Borussia Dortmund’s ability to stay composed under pressure and secure vital points. Three goals, two conceded, and a late winner highlighted the team’s competitive edge in this Bundesliga season.
