Marco Reus struck a late winner as Borussia Dortmund closed the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a point with a 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart.

Borussia Dortmund 2-1 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Malen 56' (assist: Guerreiro), 1-1 Massimo 63' (assist: Karazor), 2-1 Reus 84'

Bayern Munich's shock loss to Augsburg presented Dortmund with a golden opportunity to open up the title race. They set about their task with real purpose as Reus flashed a free-kick just past the upright, before Thorgan Hazard and Donyell Malen threatened with a pair of quick-fire headers. Stuttgart responded through Philip Förster, who shot wide from inside the box, while Borna Sosa and Roberto Massimo made former teammate Gregor Kobel work from distance. Hazard sent an awkward volley wide and thrashed over from 20 yards, but the best opening of an entertaining first half fell the way of Stuttgart. Tanguy Coulibaly took on Orel Mangala's flicked header into the area, only to be thwarted by a quite brilliant reaction save from Kobel.

Dortmund started the second period on the front foot as Reus whipped a free-kick into the arms of Florian Müller. A sustained spell of pressure produced the opening goal and a first in the Bundesliga for Malen, whose shot from 18 yards deflected in off the sliding Hiroki Ito. Stuttgart were not behind for long, though. After Manuel Akanji had conceded possession to Förster, the ball was helped on to Massimo, who stood up Mats Hummels on the edge of the area and curled confidently beyond Kobel. Müller pushed a deflected Akanji strike onto the crossbar as the contest opened up, with Jude Bellingham volleying over on the rebound. Reus sent a hurried attempt off target, but his next opening stuck. After setting up Hazard for a breakaway shot well saved by Müller, the BVB captain was on hand to turn in the follow-up and seal a huge win in the battle for domestic honours.

Match stats

• Dortmund are unbeaten in their first seven home Bundesliga matches under Marco Rose - a new club record.
• Reus scored his fourth Bundesliga goal of the season. Only Erling Haaland has more for Dortmund (nine).
• Malen opened his Bundesliga account on his 12th appearance.
• Massimo scored his second Bundesliga goal of the season.
• Stuttgart's Alexis Tibidi, 18, made his Bundesliga debut.
• Stuttgart haven’t won away in the Bundesliga since beating Rose's Borussia Mönchengladbach on the penultimate weekend of last season.

Watch: Bellingham: "Malen will kick on now"

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!

Line-ups

Dortmund: Kobel - Meunier, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro (Can 64') - Witsel, Bellingham - Brandt (Tigges 75'), Reus (c), Hazard - Malen (Knauff 89')
Unused subs: Hitz, Dahoud, Reinier, Passlack, Pongracic
Out: Dahoud (knee), Haaland (hip), Morey (knee), Reyna (thigh), Schmelzer (knee), Schulz (muscular), Wolf (thigh)
Coach: Marco Rose

Stuttgart: Müller - Mavropanos, Anton, Ito - Karazor (Nartey 68') - Coulibaly (Al Ghaddioui 87'), Mangala, Endo (c), Sosa - Förster (Didavi 70') - Massimo (Tibidi 68')
Unused subs: Bredlow, Mola, Stenzel, Faghir, Klimowicz
Out: Ahamada (Achilles), Führich (ankle), Kalajdzic (shoulder), Kempf (match fitness), Marmoush (ankle), Millot (knee), Silas (match fitness), Thommy (match fitness)
Coach: Pellegrino Matarazzo

Watch: Malen: "A dream to score in front of the Yellow Wall"

About the clubs

Borussia Dortmund

SIGNAL IDUNA PARK

VfB Stuttgart

MHPArena