Borussia Dortmund were eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday evening. Marco Rose’s team lost in the decisive game in Group C at Sporting Portugal: 3-1. Donyell Malen brought the tension back for Dortmund in injury time, but to no avail. As a result, BVB after the winter break, continue in the Europa League, while Sporting secures the second place. The Portuguese, together with group winner Ajax, continue in the billion-dollar ball, while closing last Besiktas is eliminated.
In the absence of Erling Braut Haaland, Malen got another chance in the starting line-up at Dortmund, which dominated the first half hour, but created almost nothing. Sporting struck like a bolt from the blue in the thirtieth minute, because the Portuguese hadn’t shown anything until then. Nico Schulz was not well positioned with a long ball from back to Pedro Goncalves, but the Dortmund left-back thought he could recover by playing the ball back to his own goalkeeper. However, that tap was too short, allowing Goncalves to intervene and score: 1-0.
Sports ahead! ??
The Portuguese take the lead against Dortmund against all odds, but with this score they jump over the Borussen in the group ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #SCPBVB pic.twitter.com/w2gs17A6HE— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Nov 24, 2021
Sporting suddenly became more menacing after the opening goal. A dangerous shot by Pablo Sarabia was blocked by Axel Witsel, but moments later it was hit again for os Leões. Manuel Akanji slipped the ball away from Paulinho in the penalty area, causing it to roll at Goncalves’ feet. The left striker did not hesitate and blasted the ball against the ropes from eighteen meters: 2-0. Immediately afterwards, Malen escaped the guard of Zouhair Feddal, after which the striker also passed goalkeeper Antonio Adan. Malen looked set to score, but his shot on the goal line was blocked by Gonçalo Inácio.
Three minutes after the break, Goncalves thought he could sign for a hat-trick, but this time the attacker encountered keeper Gregor Kobel from close range. Gonçalves had the ball put on a silver platter by a wide ball from Sarabia. Dortmund then looked for the attack, but had great difficulty finding openings. Had to have a little more than fifteen minutes before time those Borus ten men further, after Emre Can allowed himself to be provoked by Pedro Porro. The substitute hit the Sporting midfielder and received a red card.
boom!??
Sporting at 2-0 and again it is Goncalves who hits the mark ??With this score, Sporting is through to Group C after Ajax and Dortmund will go to the Europa League ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #SCPBVB pic.twitter.com/Ha93SYiWc1
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Nov 24, 2021
Nine minutes later, Sporting made its third of the evening. Paulinho went down in the penalty area after a sliding by Dan-Axel Zagadou. Referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande decided after viewing the images to award a penalty. Kobel saved Goncalves’ effort, but could not prevent Porro from heading in the rebound: 3-0. Dortmund did something back in the third minute of injury time via Malen, who tapped in after Marco Reus headed through: 3-1. Chances for more did not follow for the Germans.