Borussia Dortmund could not hold onto their lead as Lille secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
The German side started strong, with Karim Adeyemi scoring a stunning first-half goal, but Lille struck back in the second half through Hákon Haraldsson.
Dortmund Strike First
Dortmund began cautiously, allowing Lille to control possession in the early minutes. However, this created space for counter-attacks, and Dortmund soon found their rhythm.
Adeyemi, fresh from a brilliant Bundesliga performance, tested the Lille defense early with a shot that went just wide.
It did not take long for the home side to break the deadlock. In the 22nd minute, Adeyemi found himself with space near the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike.
The ball rocketed past the goalkeeper, smashing in off the post. Dortmund almost doubled their lead minutes later, but Nico Schlotterbeck’s long-range shot missed the target by inches.
Lille tried to fight back before halftime, but Dortmund’s defense remained solid.
Just before the break, Pascal Groß thought he had added a second goal, only for it to be ruled offside.
Dortmund went into halftime with a narrow lead but looked confident.
Lille’s Strong Response
Lille came out with more intensity in the second half, pressing Dortmund higher up the pitch.
Their efforts paid off in the 68th minute when a quick passing move unlocked Dortmund’s defense.
Haraldsson found himself with a clear shot and slotted the ball past Gregor Kobel to level the score.
Dortmund struggled to regain control after that goal. Maximilian Beier had a chance to restore the lead, but his shot flew over the bar.
As the game reached the final stages, both teams pushed for a winner but lacked the cutting edge to convert their chances.
A Delicate Second Leg Awaits
With the draw, the tie remains evenly balanced heading into the second leg in France.
Dortmund will be disappointed not to have capitalized on their first-half dominance, while Lille will be pleased with their resilience and away goal.
Match Stats
- Karim Adeyemi has now scored five goals in this season’s Champions League.
- The German forward has three goals in three matches against Lille.
- Dortmund have won 11 of their 25 meetings with French opposition.
- Lille’s record against German clubs is now 2 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses.
- Haraldsson became only the second Icelandic player to score in a Champions League knockout match.
Dortmund will now travel to France for the second leg on March 12, where they must put in a strong performance to advance.
Lille, on the other hand, will be confident they can complete the job at home.
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