Erling Haaland nets late winner as Borussia Dortmund beat Hoffenheim 3-2

Borussia Dortmund managed to get the three points against TSG Hoffenheim in a highly dramatic contest that saw Erling Haaland score a 91st minute winner. 

Erling Haaland created yet another special moment as he scored a 91st minute winner to lift Borussia Dortmund to a 3-2 win over TSG Hoffenheim. Jude Bellingham and Gio Reyna were also on target for Marco Rose’s side, who ended their two game slide in dramatic fashion.

Matchday three of the 2021/22 Bundesliga season kicked off on Friday evening as Borussia Dortmund hosted the unbeaten TSG Hoffenheim. Reeling from last weekend’s defeat to Freiburg, the Black and Yellows were looking to bounce back against Hoffenheim. Fortunately for Marco Rose’s side, a win over Hoffenheim momentarily takes them to the top of the Bundesliga table.

Marco Rose made two changes to the side that lost to Freiburg. Full-backs Raphael Guerreiro and Thomas Meunier returned to the starting XI, replacing Nico Schulz and Felix Passlasck respectively. Gregor Kobel stood in goal and the rest of the defense was completed by Manuel Akanji and Axel Witsel. The midfield saw Jude Bellingham, Mahmoud Dahoud and Giovanni Reyna continue their partnership. While Marco Reus, Donyell Malen and Erling Haaland formed the attacking trio in the diamond formation.

‘High intensity’ is one way to describe the opening minutes of the game. Two Hoffenheim players, Baumgartner and Posch, received yellow cards before the game even reached the ten-minute mark. But not everything was about dangerous tackles and nasty elbows, both teams came close to opening the scoring early on. Gio Reyna, Donyell Malen, Marco Reus and Erling Haaland all had decent opportunities to make it 1-0. But despite the great attacking football on display, there were no goals in the first half.

The second forty-five minutes were filled with adrenaline, goals galore, and lots of drama. It was packed with everything all Borussia Dortmund fans know and love.

Gio Reyna opened the scoring four minutes into the start of the second half. Bellingham set up a great pass and Reyna beat Oliver Baumann with a fine effort from the edge of the box. However, Dortmund were pegged back as Hoffenheim’s Baumgartner levelled things up by making an excellent run before firing low shot past Gregor Kobel.

Jude Bellingham then put Dortmund ahead once again, as he scored in the 69th minute with a lovely low strike into the bottom corner.

Borussia Dortmund thought they would hold on for the win, but Munas Dubbar scored the equaliser for Hoffenheim in the final minute of regular time.

However, Erling Haaland had other plans for the evening. Only one minute after being silenced, the entire crowd of the Westfalenstadion erupted in cries of joy and excitement after the Norwegian international buried the ball home following a series of blocked shots inside the box. The final whistle came shortly after and Borussia Dortmund claimed their second league win of the season.

Victories are always important for improving the team’s morale. And they are even sweeter when they come like this one did. All Borussia Dortmund fans can be pleased with the result. And while the performance left a lot to be desired, they can hope that this is only the beginning of a positive streak that can lead to the team challenging for the Bundesliga title.