Answer: Borussia Dortmund defeated FC St. Pauli 3-0 at Signal Iduna Park on 17 January 2026, extending their lead in the Bundesliga title race. Julian Brandt opened the scoring, Erling Haaland added a second before halftime, and Jude Bellingham sealed the victory with a long‑range strike in the second half.
Match Summary
Dortmund dominated possession and created the majority of scoring chances throughout the game. The home side pressed high, recorded 58% possession, and forced St. Pauli into a defensive posture. The final statistics showed Dortmund with 18 total shots (10 on target) compared to St. Pauli’s single shot on target.
Key Moments and Goals
First Goal – Brandt (10’)
Julian Brandt cut inside from the left flank and curled a low‑driven effort past the St. Pauli goalkeeper to give Dortmund an early lead.
Second Goal – Haaland (28’)
Erling Haaland latched onto a perfectly weighted through‑ball from Jude Bellingham and finished clinically to double Dortmund’s advantage.
Third Goal – Bellingham (63’)
Jude Bellingham struck from outside the box, sending a thunderous shot into the top corner for his 12th league goal of the season.
Tactical Analysis
Coach Edin Terzić employed a 4‑2‑3‑1 formation that allowed Bellingham to dictate tempo from midfield while full‑backs provided width. Mats Hummels anchored the back‑four, limiting St. Pauli to three shots on target in the first half. St. Pauli’s compact defending and quick transitions were neutralised by Dortmund’s relentless high press, resulting in a superior expected‑goals (xG) value of 2.3 versus 0.8.
Impact on Bundesliga Title Race
The three points moved Dortmund to 55 points, just two behind league leaders Bayern Munich and ahead of RB Leipzig on goal difference. Their goal difference improved to +30, a crucial factor in a tight title race. For St. Pauli, the loss left them in 15th place with 22 points, maintaining a narrow margin above the relegation zone.
Future Outlook for Both Teams
Dortmund: The victory reinforces the potency of the attacking trio—Brandt, Bellingham, and Haaland—who have combined for 29 goals this season. Maintaining this form will be vital as the championship battle intensifies.
St. Pauli: The team must tighten its defence against top‑six opposition. Their upcoming clash with VfB Stuttgart offers a chance to regain momentum and secure vital points in the fight for survival.
