In what turned out to be a pulsating Champions League play-off, Borussia Dortmund edged past Sporting with Serhou Guirassy netting his 10th goal of the season.
Guirassy’s header on the hour mark leveled him with Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski for the most goals scored in a single campaign by a Dortmund player. His goal came after Dortmund had been second best, sparking a surge of confidence that shifted the game’s momentum.
Just eight minutes later, Guirassy turned provider as Sporting’s defense fell apart. Former Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross capitalized on the chance, finishing with a precise thigh strike at the far post. Soon after, Karim Adeyemi sealed the win on a swift counter-attack, linking up neatly with Julian Brandt to put Dortmund firmly in control.
Sporting, making their Champions League knockout debut this season, missed several clear opportunities on home soil. Maximiliano Araujo’s powerful shot rattled the crossbar in the first half, while Conrad Harder, Francisco Trincao, and João Simões saw their efforts thwarted by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Top-scorer Viktor Gyokeres was limited to a bench role as he struggled to make an impact while recovering from injury.
This victory marks the first win for Dortmund manager Niko Kovac in his second game at the helm. Dortmund’s resurgence comes on the back of spurned chances and strategic brilliance that could set the tone for the return leg on 19 February. With this win, the Bundesliga side now look to build momentum and potentially face top challengers in the next round should they qualify.
