Wolfsburg 1-3 Borussia Dortmund: Sahin Secures First Bundesliga Away Win with Quickfire Goals

Borussia Dortmund ended their long wait for a Bundesliga away victory with a dominant 3-1 win over Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena on Sunday. Three goals in a sensational five-minute first-half blitz secured Nuri Sahin’s first away triumph as Dortmund head coach and propelled the team into sixth place in the Bundesliga standings.

First-Half Blitz Stuns Wolfsburg

Dortmund’s breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Donyell Malen, making a return to the starting lineup, volleyed home from close range after a well-delivered corner.

Just three minutes later, Maximilian Beier doubled the lead with a spectacular strike that ricocheted off the post and into the net, leaving Wolfsburg stunned.

The flurry of goals continued in the 30th minute when Julian Brandt, back in action after a month-long injury layoff, drilled a precise shot from the edge of the box after an assist from Beier, making it 3-0 in favor of Dortmund.

Wolfsburg’s Response and Dortmund’s Resilience

Wolfsburg managed to pull a goal back in the 58th minute when Denis Vavro headed in from a corner. The hosts were given a glimmer of hope just four minutes later when Dortmund were reduced to 10 men after Pascal Gross received a straight red card for a last-man foul on Lukas Nmecha.

Despite being a man down for the final half-hour, Dortmund’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel making key saves to deny Wolfsburg a route back into the game.

Key Performances and Milestones

• Julian Brandt: Marked his return with a goal and an assist, achieving the feat for the first time in his 171 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund. His creativity and sharpness were crucial in the first-half blitz.
• Maximilian Beier: Played a pivotal role with a goal and an assist, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to create chances under pressure.
• Donyell Malen: Opened the scoring with a composed finish, setting the tone for Dortmund’s dominant first-half performance.

Data Debrief: Ending the Year on a High

• First Away Win Since April: Dortmund’s victory snapped an eight-match winless run on the road, marking their first away triumph in the Bundesliga since a 2-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on April 13.
• Improved Away Form: Before this game, Dortmund had managed just two points from six away matches, their worst start on the road in 33 years.
• Strong Finish to 2024: Dortmund won their final game of the calendar year for the first time since 2018, breaking a streak of disappointing year-end performances (D1, L4).

What’s Next?

The victory propels Dortmund to 25 points, securing the last European qualification spot as they enter the winter break. Wolfsburg, sitting in 11th with 21 points, will need to regroup as they aim for a stronger start in the new year.

Dortmund will look to build on this momentum when the Bundesliga resumes in January, while Wolfsburg must address their defensive frailties to climb the table in 2025.