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Serhou Guirassy scored a crucial late goal, leading Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 victory over St Pauli in a Bundesliga match at home on Friday.
Dortmund took the lead in the first half with an impressive header from Ramy Bensebaini. However, they faced a setback when Eric Smith equalized with a stunning long-range shot just 12 minutes before the end of the match.
With the clock winding down, Guirassy made his mark by heading in a perfectly placed cross from Jamie Gittens, restoring Dortmund’s lead. Since joining the club in the summer, the Guinean striker has been in remarkable form, netting 12 goals in his last eight appearances for both club and country.
Currently sitting atop the Champions League group after two matches, Dortmund is set to face Real Madrid next Tuesday, a rematch against the team that defeated them in the final last season.
“It wasn’t an easy match. We had a bit of luck in the first half, but we created opportunities and could have scored more. We’re happy but also relieved,” Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt told DAZN. “The goal we conceded was a spectacular one. The team played well, and I don’t think we have any complaints today.”
Despite the win, Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin expressed frustration. “To be a top team, we need to perform consistently every three days and improve our defensive play,” he said. “We should have added another goal in the second half and were punished with a difficult goal, but I was pleased that the players remained composed and didn’t panic.”
St Pauli’s striker Johannes Eggestein noted that “luck wasn’t on our side today.” Dortmund came into this match with an impressive record, remaining unbeaten in their last 38 home games played on Fridays, a streak dating back to 2004.
St Pauli, newly promoted after 13 years in the second division, has had a rocky start to the season, winning only one of their first six matches.
The hosts dominated possession early on, with Guirassy nearly scoring within the first five minutes when he got behind the St Pauli defense, forcing a save from goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
St Pauli thought they had taken the lead just after the half-hour mark when Morgan Guilavogui redirected a curling free kick into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Dortmund finally broke the deadlock just before halftime, as Bensebaini jumped to connect with a Pascal Gross cross for the opening goal.
St Pauli equalized in the 78th minute when Smith unleashed a remarkable shot from outside the box, leveling the score.
Fearing another disappointing result in the league, Dortmund ramped up their efforts, with Guirassy soaring to head home a Gittens cross five minutes later.
In upcoming matches, league leaders Bayern Munich will host Stuttgart, while RB Leipzig, currently second on goal difference, will face Mainz. Champions Bayer Leverkusen will play at home against Eintracht Frankfurt.
