Dortmund Take Huge Step Towards Last 16 After Convincing Win in Lisbon
Borussia Dortmund put one foot in the Champions League round of 16 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Sporting CP in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Serhou Guirassy was the standout performer, scoring once and providing an assist as Dortmund took full control of their play-off tie ahead of next week’s return leg in Germany.
Match Summary: Guirassy Inspires Dortmund to Victory
First Half: Sporting Start Strong, Dortmund Struggle
- Sporting came out aggressively, creating the game’s first big chance when Maxi Araujo’s long-range drive smashed off the crossbar.
- Gregor Kobel made a crucial save in the 35th minute, palming away Conrad Harder’s powerful effort.
- Dortmund failed to register a shot on target in the first half, struggling to break through Sporting’s defense.
Second Half: Dortmund Take Over
- 55′ – First Shot on Target, First Goal (Guirassy, 0-1)
- Karim Adeyemi’s shot was blocked, but moments later, Julian Brandt delivered a pinpoint cross.
- Guirassy expertly wrong-footed the keeper with a looping header, scoring his 10th goal of the competition.
- 68′ – Guirassy Turns Provider (Gross, 0-2)
- The Guinea international turned creator, whipping in a perfect cross for Pascal Gross, who volleyed home from close range.
- 82′ – Adeyemi Seals the Win (0-3)
- A lightning-fast five-touch counterattack ended with Adeyemi firing past Rui Silva to complete the scoring.
Sporting ran out of ideas, even after bringing on top striker Viktor Gyokeres, while Dortmund saw out the game comfortably.
Player Ratings
Sporting CP (4-3-3)
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| GK: Rui Silva | 6.2 |
| RB: Ricardo Esgaio | 6.1 |
| CB: Sebastian Coates | 6.3 |
| CB: Goncalo Inacio | 6.5 |
| LB: Nuno Santos | 6.2 |
| CM: Hidemasa Morita | 6.4 |
| CM: Morten Hjulmand | 6.7 |
| CM: Daniel Braganca | 6.1 |
| RW: Marcus Edwards | 6.2 |
| ST: Viktor Gyokeres | 6.0 |
| LW: Maxi Araujo | 6.9 |
Key Substitutes:
- Pedro Goncalves (65′ for Braganca) – 6.1
- Paulinho (78′ for Edwards) – 5.9
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| GK: Gregor Kobel | 7.3 |
| RB: Julian Ryerson | 6.8 |
| CB: Mats Hummels | 7.1 |
| CB: Nico Schlotterbeck | 7.3 |
| LB: Ian Maatsen | 6.9 |
| CM: Emre Can | 7.0 |
| CM: Pascal Gross | 7.8 |
| RW: Julian Brandt | 7.9 |
| AM: Marco Reus | 7.2 |
| LW: Karim Adeyemi | 8.1 |
| ST: Serhou Guirassy | 9.0 ⭐ (MOTM) |
Key Substitutes:
- Youssoufa Moukoko (80′ for Guirassy) – N/A
Tactical Talking Points
1. Guirassy Matches Dortmund Legends
- Guirassy’s 10 goals this season equals the Champions League records set by Erling Haaland (2020-21) and Robert Lewandowski (2012-13).
- With 13 goal involvements, he now holds the club record for the most direct contributions in a single Champions League campaign.
2. Dortmund’s Ruthless Efficiency
- Sporting dominated early on but failed to capitalize on their chances.
- Dortmund only had 1.87 xG (expected goals), but clinical finishing made the difference.
3. Sporting’s Lack of Cutting Edge
- The Portuguese side struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, even after Gyokeres was introduced off the bench.
- Their total xG of just 0.73 highlights how well Dortmund’s defense held firm.
What’s Next?
Second Leg – Signal Iduna Park (February 20, 2025)
- Dortmund have full control of the tie but must stay disciplined to ensure qualification.
- Sporting will need a miracle to overturn the deficit away from home.
Prediction for the Second Leg: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Sporting CP (Dortmund advance 5-1 on aggregate).
