Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund on the brink of winning the title

• Borussia Dortmund visited Augsburg in a Bundesliga clash on Sunday afternoon
• Dortmund headed into the match needing a win to go top of the Bundesliga table leapfrogging Bayern Munich
• A brace from Sebastien Haller and another goal by Julian Brandt ensured BvB are on the brink of winning the Bundesliga

Sebastien Haller scored two goals as Borussia Dortmund secured a crucial 3-0 victory over Augsburg, propelling them to the top of the Bundesliga.

Julian Brandt also found the back of the net, contributing to Dortmund’s triumph at the WWK Arena. This win enabled them to overtake Bayern Munich, who had suffered a 3-1 defeat against RB Leipzig. Haller opened the scoring just before the 60-minute mark and later added a second goal, with Brandt sealing the victory in stoppage time. This triumph gives Dortmund a two-point advantage at the top of the table.

If Dortmund can secure a win against Mainz in their upcoming match, it will be their first Bundesliga title in 11 years. On the other hand, Augsburg, currently in 14th place, faces uncertainty regarding their top-flight future, as they hold only a two-point lead over Bochum, who are in 16th place, heading into the final weekend.

Borussia Dortmund players celebrate after Sebastien Haller scored against Augsburg in a Bundesliga clash on Sunday, May 21 2023. | PHOTO: MARCA |

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In the first half, Dortmund dominated the attacking play, recording an impressive 17 shots on goal compared to Augsburg’s single attempt. Marius Wolf, Haller, and Brandt all tested Augsburg’s goalkeeper, Tomas Koubek. Augsburg’s troubles intensified when Felix Uduokhai received a red card for a last-ditch foul on Donyell Malen. Dortmund finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Haller capitalized on Maximilian Bauer’s failure to deal with Malen’s cross, slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Augsburg struggled to find an equalizer, and Haller extended Dortmund’s lead in the 84th minute by scoring into an empty net. A lengthy stoppage followed due to an injury to Mats Hummels. Brandt added further shine to the victory with a well-executed finish in stoppage time.

Borussia Dortmund on the brink of securing the title

Dortmund entered the game aware of their winless streak in six away games across all competitions. They knew Augsburg would present a tough challenge. However, their patience and persistence paid off as they moved within one win of clinching the championship.

Haller’s two goals showcased his excellent form, with a total of five shots taken, tying him with Brandt for the highest number of attempts in the game. Haller has been in fine scoring form, having netted eight goals since matchday 25, the most in the Bundesliga during that period, along with his teammate Malen.

Brandt, meanwhile, demonstrated his sharpshooting abilities, recording the most shots on target throughout the match. He scored his ninth goal of the season, matching his personal best in a Bundesliga campaign, which he previously achieved in 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2021-22.

Looking ahead, Dortmund has the opportunity to secure their first Bundesliga title since 2012 by defeating Mainz in their next match. Augsburg, on the other hand, needs a victory against Borussia Monchengladbach to ensure their safety in the top flight.