Borussia Dortmund finally found its rhythm in the UEFA Champions League group phase, dismantling Athletic Bilbao with a convincing 4-1 victory at Signal Iduna Park. This win marks Dortmund’s first in the group stage, while Athletic’s struggles deepen as they extend their winless run to six games (D1, L5).
For Kenyan football fans who thrive on UCL drama and closely follow Bundesliga action, this clash provided goals, milestones, and plenty of talking points.
⚽ First-Half Breakthrough: Svensson Strikes
The early exchanges were cagey, with few real chances. Marcel Sabitzer tried from range, but it was Daniel Svensson who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. The Swede finished coolly after Karim Adeyemi, supplied brilliantly by Julian Ryerson, squared across the box.
Dortmund maintained control, with Niklas Süle testing Unai Simón twice. While Bilbao showed flashes of intent, their tentative play reflected a side still haunted by recent defeats.
🔥 Second-Half Drama: Chukwuemeka Shines, Bilbao Bite Back
The second half started explosively. Just five minutes in, Carney Chukwuemeka produced a dazzling solo effort to double Dortmund’s lead. The 21-year-old glided past defenders and beat Simón at his near post, bagging his first European goal.
Athletic, however, fought back—substitutes combined when Gorka Guruzeta capitalized on defensive chaos to halve the deficit. Moments later, Robert Navarro nearly equalized with a sublime chipped effort, only for VAR to rule it offside.
The tension rose as Bilbao pushed forward, but Dortmund’s resilience shone through.
🚀 Dortmund Seal the Deal: Guirassy and Brandt Add Gloss
As Bilbao chased the equalizer, Dortmund landed the killer blow. In the 82nd minute, Serhou Guirassy deflected Sabitzer’s strike to notch his 16th goal in just 20 UCL appearances. That remarkable tally puts him alongside legends like Roberto Soldado and Ruud van Nistelrooy, with only Erling Haaland ahead.
In stoppage time, Julian Brandt capped off the night with a precise low finish, sending the Yellow Wall into raptures.
📊 Key Stats and Records
- Dortmund have lost just 1 of their last 19 UCL home matches (W12, D6).
- Athletic Bilbao have now lost four consecutive European games for the first time in their history.
- Guirassy equals Soldado and van Nistelrooy in fastest UCL scoring milestones.
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🏆 Conclusion: Dortmund Back in Business
Borussia Dortmund’s emphatic 4-1 win was a statement of intent. With Svensson and Chukwuemeka scoring their first European goals and Guirassy joining an elite club, the team looks ready to push on in the UCL.
For Athletic Bilbao, the road ahead looks challenging, but their fighting spirit shows they’re not finished yet.
Kenyan fans can look forward to more thrilling nights in Europe as the UCL unfolds—where every game writes a new chapter in football history.
