Borussia Dortmund overturned a first-half deficit to defeat Lille and secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The German side recovered from conceding an early goal to win the second leg 2-1, progressing 3-2 on aggregate.
Lille, holding a 1-1 draw from the first leg, took the lead in the fifth minute at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Jonathan David swept a first-time finish through the legs of Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, putting the French side ahead in the tie.
Dortmund, however, responded strongly in the second half. Captain Emre Can equalized in the 54th minute, converting a penalty after Thomas Meunier fouled Serhou Guirassy in the box.
Maximilian Beier then headed narrowly wide, before giving making amends. He fired into the roof of the net in the 65th minute, finishing from Guirassy’s pass to put Dortmund ahead on aggregate.
Lille had late chances to level the tie. David saw a close-range effort well saved, and Hakon Haraldsson’s dipping strike was pushed over the bar by Kobel.
Guirassy’s Influence Key to Dortmund’s Comeback
Serhou Guirassy, despite not scoring, was instrumental in Dortmund’s victory. The Guinea international forward provided his fourth Champions League assist of the season and won the penalty that led to the equalizing goal. He has now been involved in 14 goals in the competition (10 goals, four assists), equaling Mohamed Salah’s record for the most goal involvements by an African player in a single Champions League campaign (set in 2017-18).
The victory marks the first time since February 2021 (against Sevilla) that Dortmund have won a Champions League match after conceding the opening goal.
Dortmund, managed by Niko Kovac, have now reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the ninth time. They will face La Liga giants Barcelona in the next round, setting up a challenging encounter.
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