Borussia Dortmund Score Three in Nine Minutes to Defeat Gladbach and Stay in UCL Race

 

Dortmund Score Three in Nine Minutes to Edge Gladbach and Keep UCL Hopes Alive

Borussia Dortmund scored three goals in just nine first-half minutes to claim a thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Sunday, keeping their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive with four games left in the season.

Just five days after their Champions League exit to Barcelona—despite a 3-1 win in the second leg of the quarterfinals—Dortmund bounced back in style. The comeback victory lifts them to seventh place with 45 points, just four behind the final Champions League qualifying spot.

“It was important to beat a strong Gladbach side,” said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac. “We’re developing well, but we must win the next game. It’s all in our hands, and we’ll see where we stand on May 17.”

Despite dominating early possession with over 70%, Dortmund fell behind when Ko Itakura scored for Gladbach in the 24th minute against the run of play. However, the game turned with the introduction of Carney Chukwuemeka, whose pace and creativity ignited Dortmund’s attack.

Serhou Guirassy equalized in the 41st minute after Chukwuemeka set up Pascal Gross for a clever cutback. Just three minutes later, Felix Nmecha found the net in a near-identical move to give Dortmund the lead. Daniel Svensson then extended the advantage, heading home a rebound in first-half stoppage time.

“Gladbach’s goal and Beier’s injury [in the 35th minute] were setbacks,” Kovac noted. “But after tough games against Barcelona and Bayern, the team showed great character and earned the win through hard work.”

Gladbach reduced the deficit through a Kevin Stöger penalty in the 56th minute, but Dortmund held on to claim their third Bundesliga win in four matches.