Serhou Guirassy hits late winner as Borussia Dortmund edge St. Pauli
Borussia Dortmund maintained their impressive Friday night home record with a 2-1 win against St. Pauli, thanks to a late decider from Serhou Guirassy.
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 St. Pauli
Goals: 1-0 Bensebaini 43' (assist: Groß), 1-1 Smith (78'), 2-1 Guirassy 83' (assist: Gittens)
The match began with intensity as Oladapo Afolayan of St. Pauli fired wide in the opening minute. Dortmund quickly responded, with Guirassy forcing a save from St. Pauli's keeper Nikola Vasilj in the sixth minute. The home side dominated possession, but Pauli remained dangerous on the counter. The visitors thought they had taken the lead in the 31st minute when Morgan Guilavogui found the net, but VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside. As the first half drew to a close, Dortmund's pressure finally paid off. In the 43rd minute, Pascal Groß delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Ramy Bensebaini who rose highest to head the ball into the far corner.
The second half saw Dortmund continue their dominance, with Guirassy and Donyell Malen both coming close to extending the lead. In the 64th minute, a flurry of chances fell to the home side, with Guirassy forcing another save from Vasilj and Malen narrowly missing the target. Despite Dortmund's pressure, St. Pauli remained resilient, defending stoutly and looking for opportunities to counter. Just as it seemed Dortmund might see out the victory, Pauli produced a moment of magic in the 78th minute when Eric Smith unleashed a thunderbolt from 27 meters out, leaving Gregor Kobel with no chance. The joy of St. Pauli's equaliser was short-lived, however. Just five minutes later, substitute Jamie Gittens delivered a precise cross into the box for Guirassy to head in the winner at the back post.
Watch: Bensebaini: "Was really waiting for this goal"
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Dortmund 3.1065 - St. Pauli 0.9028
Fastest player: Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), 33.37 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Eric Smith (St. Pauli), 2.62 percent
Most pressed player: Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), 19 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), +4.68
Fantasy Heroes: Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund, 352 Points), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund, 332 Points), Pascal Groß (Borussia Dortmund, 256 Points)
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