Borussia Dortmund edged St. Pauli 3‑2 at Signal Iduna Park after Emre Can converted a 96th‑minute penalty, preserving a two‑goal advantage that had been threatened by a late comeback. The win moves Dortmund back into the Bundesliga top three, while St. Pauli’s rally highlights their fight for survival. The victory also boosts their Champions League ambitions and underscores the league’s unpredictable nature.
Early Dominance: Dortmund’s First‑Half Goals
Brandt and Füllkrug Open the Scoring
From the kickoff, Dortmund pressed high and controlled possession. In the 12th minute, Julian Brandt delivered a low cross that met Niclas Füllkrug, whose header gave the hosts a 1‑0 lead. Brandt doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box, sealing a 2‑0 halftime advantage.
St. Pauli’s Fightback and Equaliser
Krogstad’s Goal Reduces the Deficit
St. Pauli responded before the break when midfielder Finn Krogstad timed a swift counter‑attack, firing a low drive into the bottom left corner to make it 2‑1 at the interval.
Miller’s Header Levels the Score
Early in the second half, substitute veteran striker Henry Miller rose above the defence to head in a corner from Krogstad, equalising at 2‑2 and turning the contest into a nail‑biting duel.
Stoppage‑Time Drama: Penalty Seals Victory
Can’s Cool Finish in the 96th Minute
With the clock in the 94th minute, a handball by St. Pauli defender Leon Schick earned Dortmund a penalty. Emre Can stepped up, calmly placing the ball low to the left corner in the 96th minute, restoring the lead to 3‑2 and securing three points.
Match Impact: League Standings and Future Fixtures
- Dortmund climbs to fourth place with 48 points, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich, reviving their Champions League hopes.
- St. Pauli remains in the relegation zone, 15th with 31 points, but their comeback shows potential for the battles ahead.
- Statistically, Dortmund’s possession fell from 61 % in the first half to 48 % after the break, while St. Pauli’s shots on target rose from two to eight.
Looking Ahead
Dortmund’s next test is a clash with VfB Stuttgart, a match that could solidify their push for a top‑three finish. Maintaining defensive discipline will be key after the vulnerabilities exposed against St. Pauli.
St. Pauli travels to face Borussia Mönchengladbach next week, where a point will be crucial in their fight to avoid relegation. Their ability to exploit set‑piece opportunities, as demonstrated in this game, may prove decisive.
