Can Secures BVB Victory with Last-Minute Penalty

Borussia Dortmund secured a dramatic win against FC St. Pauli with a last-minute penalty, despite blowing a 2-0 lead. Karim Adeyemi played a pivotal role, assisting Julian Brandt for the opening goal before scoring himself.

Match Overview

The tense encounter unfolded during Bundesliga’s 18th matchday. Dortmund faced St. Pauli after a commanding 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen. Coach Niko Kovac made several changes to the starting lineup, replacing players like Süle and Sabitzer due to squad rotation and injury concerns.

Key Changes and Players

• Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt were crucial for Dortmund’s attack.
• Alexander Blessin only made one adjustment, bringing in Kaars.
• The match featured an early handball controversy that resulted in a penalty decision being overturned.

First Half Highlights

Dortmund held most of the possession early on but struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. A short clearance by St. Pauli’s goalkeeper, Vasilj, nearly led to a goal, but Brandt’s shot was cleared off the line.

In a surprising turn, St. Pauli was awarded a penalty for a handball but the refereeing team rescinded the decision after reviewing the incident.

Brandt finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, scoring with an assist from Adeyemi.

Second Half Drama

The momentum shifted after halftime. Adeyemi doubled Dortmund’s lead in the 54th minute, showcasing his speed and skill. However, St. Pauli quickly countered; James Sands headed in from a corner just eight minutes later, narrowing the lead.

Shortly after, substitute Jones scored with a volley from another corner, leveling the match and leaving the home fans ecstatic.

Last-Minute Decision

As the game entered the dying moments, a VAR review led to a penalty for Dortmund. Jones had clipped Beier on the edge of the penalty area. Initially, a free kick was awarded, but the review changed the decision.

Emre Can coolly converted the penalty in the 96th minute, securing the victory for Borussia Dortmund.

Upcoming Matches

Dortmund will next face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Tuesday at 21:00. Their next Bundesliga match is against Union Berlin on Saturday at 18:30. On the other hand, St. Pauli will play a city derby against Hamburger SV on Friday at 20:30.