Haaland gives lacklustre Dortmund last gasp victory

Borussia Dortmund put Bayern Munich's title party on hold for at least another week after a 95th minute header by Erling Haaland gave Dortmund a 0-1 win against relegation threatened Dusseldorf. 

The first half was very uneventful as the game was played at a very slow tempo. Dortmund had all the possession and territory, but it was all well away from Dusseldorf's goal while the hosts were just playing for 0-0. 

The only clear opportunity of the first period was in the 17th minute. Thorgan Hazard broke after Hummels headed away a Dusseldorf corner, he found Sancho and then his cross for Achraf saw the on loan Real Madrid man have his shot was saved by Kastenmeier in the Dusseldorf goal. Julian Brandt had a couple of dangerous attacks, but the most he could muster was a tame effort at the goalie. It was deservedly goalless at the break. 

The second half was a different story though. Dusseldorf came out attacking from the off and put plenty of pressure on their opponents in the first 15 minutes. Karaman turned inside the box before hit a soft effort and Thommy stung the fingers of Roman Burki, thr Dortmund keeper. That saw Lucien Favre bring Erling Haaland on for Axel Witsel just after the hour mark and things changed. 

 

June 13, 2020

In the 64th minute, after Dusseldorf could have scored through Sobottka, Dortmund broke, Haaland's shot was deflected by a Dusseldorf man and then Guerreiro volleyed in. It was a lovely goal, but the VAR spotted that the ball touched Guerreiro's arm and the goal was chalked off. 

Dusseldorf responded with a change of their own by bringing on Skrzybski with 15 minutes later and he had two glorious opportunities. With eight minutes left, Hennings combined with Skrzybski and the latter struck the post. Dortmund dodged a bullet and they got lucky again right on 90 minutes. Skrzybski ran onto a long ball and he was bearing down on goal, but he struck Burki's other post. The German was denied twice by the woodwork and then Dusseldorf's hearts were broken at the death. 

The away side put some late pressure on in stoppage time, but Dusseldorf looked to be dealing with it without too much trouble, but then, Haaland popped up in the 95th and final minute. Akanji put a hopeful cross into the box and the Norwegian jumped and guided the ball into the corner with his head to score the only goal of the contest. Dortmund were second best in the second half and toothless in the first, but a moment of magic by Haaland got them out of jail. 

Dortmund close the gap on Bayern to four points, but the Bavarians can go back seven clear with three to play in Saturday's late game against Gladbach. For Dusseldorf, it was a major blow in their battle against relegation. Werder Bremen's win means that they are outside the relegation zone on goal difference, but Dusseldorf are still in the relegation play-off spot. If they play like this in their last three matches, they should stay up.