On January 17 2026, Borussia Dortmund edged out St. Pauli 3‑2 at Signal Iduna Park. Eric Leiton opened the scoring, St. Pauli fought back to 2‑2, and a decisive penalty by Leiton in the 88th minute clinched three points, lifting Dortmund to 38 points and keeping them within two of league leaders Bayern Munich.
Match Summary: Key Moments and Goals
First Half – Dortmund Dominates
- 24′ – Eric Leiton heads in from an Ivan Roland cross (1‑0).
- 38′ – Jos Simois and Manuel Arias combine for a close‑range finish (2‑0).
Second Half – St. Pauli’s Comeback
- 55′ – Ethan Fossen scores after a long pass from goalkeeper Andreas Siegner (2‑1).
- 62′ – Christian Mochner nets from an Alexander Kolnoss cross (2‑2).
Closing Drama – Winning Penalty
- 88′ – Leiton converts a penalty after a foul in the box, sealing the 3‑2 win.
Impact on Bundesliga Standings
The victory pushes Dortmund to 38 points after 18 matches, cementing second place and narrowing the gap to Bayern Munich to just two points. St. Pauli remains in the lower tier of the table with 22 points, still fighting to avoid relegation.
Historical Head‑to‑Head and Future Outlook
Dortmund has traditionally held the upper hand, winning 7 of the last 9 meetings with St. Pauli. This season, the contests are tighter, reflecting St. Pauli’s recent improvements, including a win over Leipzig in round 7.
Looking ahead, Dortmund will face Bayern Munich in round 19, a direct title showdown that could determine the championship leader. St. Pauli’s next challenge is a crucial match against Schalke 04 as they strive to collect points and secure their Bundesliga status.
Match Statistics
- Possession: Dortmund 58% – St. Pauli 42%
- Shots on Target: Dortmund 12 – St. Pauli 9
- Pass Accuracy: Dortmund 84% – St. Pauli 78%
- Individual Errors: Dortmund 9 – St. Pauli 14
Conclusion
Dortmund’s 3‑2 triumph over St. Pauli highlights the team’s resilience and ability to capitalize on critical moments. As the season progresses, the side aims to maintain momentum toward the title, while St. Pauli focuses on stabilizing its league position and steering clear of the relegation zone.
