Late Home Win for Dortmund Over Villareal

A successful Champions League start for Borussia Dortmund!

The Black and Yellows defeated FC Villareal 3-1 at home on the first matchday of the group stage.

Marcel Sabitzer was in the starting lineup and played until the 75th minute. Carney Chukwuemeka was substituted on in the 82nd minute.

Dortmund Unlucky

It was a very even game at the start, with Dortmund creating the first good opportunity in the ninth minute. Beier delivered the ball from the left into the centre, but Guirassy narrowly missed the cross.

In the 14th and 16th minutes, the Spaniards created two offensive chances. First, Kobel saved a less-than-ideal shot from Mikautadze, then a direct attempt from Gueye went over the Swiss keeper's goal.

Things turned bitter for the Black and Yellows in the 23rd minute: After a counter-attack, new signing Karetsas went down unchallenged, and after treatment, the 18-year-old even had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.

Circulatory problems were reportedly the cause. Arsenal loanee Nwaneri came on for him.

Perfect Start to the Second Half

The hosts first had to recover from this shock. Before the break, Niko Kovac's team found their rhythm again and had a promising scoring chance with a shot from Guirassy in stoppage time.

Just a few minutes after the restart came Dortmund's best chance of the game: After a pass from Nmecha, Nwaneri took a shot, but a Spanish defender decisively deflected the ball – which only hit the woodwork (50.).

Shortly after, the Spanish net rippled. Beier delivered a low cross into the middle, which keeper Gulacsi just managed to get a touch on. The goalkeeper's intervention diverted the ball to Veiga, who was positioned in front of goal and unluckily turned it into his own net (53.).

Villareal Fight Back, But So Do Dortmund

But the visitors didn't give up. In the 57th minute, Oluwaseyi had a huge chance for the equalizer with a header, but the ball went just over the bar.

Villareal continued to press and were rewarded about ten minutes later. Following a corner kick, Mourino won an aerial duel against Ryerson and headed in the equalizer (66.).

However, Dortmund took the lead again, with the freshly substituted Silva playing a key role, setting up Guirassy perfectly (80.). Five minutes later, the striker completed his brace by converting a penalty kick.

In stoppage time, the striker scored what appeared to be his third goal, but the ball unfortunately ended up in his own net (90.+4). BVB successfully managed to hold on to their narrow lead.

Haaland the Match-Winner

Meanwhile, Manchester City secured a 2-0 away win against FC Porto.

The English team dominated for much of the game, with Erling Haaland emerging as the match-winner. The Norwegian superstar broke the deadlock in the 47th minute with a header, and shortly before the final whistle, Haaland completed his brace with his 59th goal in his 59th Champions League appearance.

Thus, Enzo Maresca's team started the Champions League group stage with a win.