- Borussia Dortmund defeated Newcastle United 1-0 at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
- Felix Nmecha scored the game’s only goal.
Borussia Dortmund defeated Newcastle United 1-0 at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night in the Champions League thanks to a goal from Felix Nmecha.
Just before halftime, BVB broke through, and with four points, they now sit second in Group F. It was a well-earned victory for the Bundesliga team.
How the game unfolded
Bruno Guimaraes battling for the ball. Photo/Getty Images
Within the first two minutes, Dortmund had a great opportunity to take the lead when Nick Pope brilliantly stopped Donyell Malen’s low effort after Marius Wolf freed him inside the Newcastle box.
The England international then turned away Niclas Fullkrug in the tenth minute, after the Magpies goalie had made two superb stops in short succession. BVB had missed three great chances in the opening stages of the game.
After Alexander Isak found his teammate with a ball into the Dortmund box, Gregor Kobel was called upon to make a save to deny Anthony Gordon.
In the fifteenth minute, Malen blasted one just wide of the Newcastle goal, forcing the team to substitute Callum Wilson for the injured Isak.
The score was tied at thirty minutes despite Malen’s persistent efforts on the home team’s defense, which resulted in two goal-bound attempts being stopped after Dortmund launched swift counterattacks.
Joelinton and Dan Burn gave Newcastle a chance late in the first half, but Nmecha‘s incredible goal in the 45th minute—which came from a cross from Nico Schlotterbeck—saw Dortmund take the lead.
When Wilson found himself free inside the BVB box in the 57th minute, he had an opportunity to tie the score, but Kobel was there to make an incredible stop at close range.
Gordon. Photo/The Athletic
Gordon then had an effort deflected wide of the post before trying to get the fans interested in the action, but Newcastle were finally forcing it after Dortmund had a solid start to the second half.
In search of motivation, the Magpies brought on Sandro Tonali for the last 25 minutes of the match. Tonali is now facing a lengthy ban as a result of an investigation into alleged betting offenses.
Supported by an enthusiastic audience, Howe’s team displayed all-action play, but Dortmund was playing better football because they were able to play quickly in the last third of the field, which allowed them to sit back and play on the break.
Wilson headed a late free kick from Matt Targett against the crossbar, and in stoppage time, the home team’s attempt from Gordon rebounded onto the woodwork. Dortmund had to weather two critical moments in order to secure a crucial three points in this period.
What next?
With two points more than fourth-place AC Milan and two fewer than leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle is currently third on four points in an exciting group.
November 7th’s rematch between the two teams in Germany is expected to be very important because it takes place before Eddie Howe’s squad travels to PSG.
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