Borussia Dortmund secured a dramatic 3‑2 victory over FC St. Pauli at Signal Iduna Park on 17 January 2026, moving to 45 points and staying within three points of league leaders Bayern Munich. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring, Erling Haaland added two goals, and Mats Hummels netted the winner in the 85th minute. The win also highlighted Dortmund’s attacking depth while exposing defensive lapses.
Match Overview
Dortmund took an early lead through Julian Brandt after a precise pass from Jude Bellingham. St. Pauli responded quickly with a header from Matti Heynckes, equalising before halftime. The Norwegian striker Erling Haaland restored the lead just before the break, and the home side held on to a 3‑2 finish thanks to a late set‑piece header by Mats Hummels.
Key Moments
Early Dominance
9th minute: Brandt finished Bellingham’s low pass to put Dortmund ahead.
St. Pauli’s Equaliser
23rd minute: Matti Heynckes headed in a cross from Jean‑Philippe Miyem to level the score.
Haaland’s Second Goal
28th minute: A quick one‑two between Haaland and Bellingham created space for Haaland’s low drive to the bottom corner.
Late Drama
38th minute: Substitute Luca Krohn threaded a pass to Mikkel Kasper, whose strike from the edge of the box made it 2‑2.
Winning Header
85th minute: Mats Hummels rose highest on a corner to head the decisive goal.
Tactical Breakdown
Dortmund deployed a 4‑3‑3 formation, with Haaland, Bellingham and Brandt forming a dynamic front line. Coach Edin Terzić introduced Bellingham at halftime to boost midfield creativity, a change that immediately amplified the team’s attacking rhythm. St. Pauli started in a compact 4‑2‑3‑1, later shifting to a more aggressive 3‑5‑2 that generated chances but left vulnerable spaces on the flanks, which Dortmund exploited.
- Possession: Dortmund 58 % – St. Pauli 42 %.
- Passes completed: Dortmund 617 – St. Pauli 483.
- Shots on target: 9 each, highlighting St. Pauli’s efficiency.
League Implications
With the win, Dortmund remain third in the Bundesliga, three points behind Bayern Munich and one point ahead of RB Leipzig. The three points keep them in the title conversation as they prepare for a crucial clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.
St. Pauli sit 18th with 24 points, just two clear of the automatic relegation zone. Their performance shows they can challenge top teams, but defensive lapses will need correction to avoid a drop.
Player Highlights
- Erling Haaland: Scored two goals, raising his season tally and reinforcing his status as the league’s top scorer.
- Jude Bellingham: Provided the assist for the opening goal and earned man‑of‑the‑match honors for his creative influence.
- Mats Hummels: Added a decisive header, demonstrating his aerial threat in addition to defensive duties.
- Luca Krohn (St. Pauli): Came off the bench to create the equaliser, indicating his growing importance.
Future Outlook
Dortmund’s next test is away at Eintracht Frankfurt, a match that could solidify a top‑two finish or expose lingering defensive issues. St. Pauli must capitalize on their resilience in the upcoming home game against VfB Stuttgart to climb out of the relegation zone.
