Bundesliga: Erling Haaland scores twice for Borussia Dortmund

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Season goals number 24 and 25 for Erling Haaland (r.)

Photo: Swen Pförtner / dpa

The scene of the game:

Wolfsburg is outnumbered, Wolfsburg is on the attack. But then Mahmoud Dahoud anticipates a pass and switches over at lightning speed: Erling Haaland finds his dream pass from his own half between two Wolfsburg defenders and fate takes its course. The Norwegian is over 30.40 meters faster with the ball than his opponents without and then overcomes goalkeeper Koen Casteels - the 0: 2 in the 68th minute. Goal number 25 of the season for the Norwegian, only he scores such goals. What a dynamic, what a force, what a degree - world class!

The result:

Borussia Dortmund won 2-0 in the top match of the 31st Bundesliga matchday at VfL Wolfsburg and gave new fuel to their hopes for a Champions League qualification. Click here for the match report.

The first half:

As central defender Mats Hummels was missing from Dortmund, VfL immediately put the newly formed defense line under pressure - and promptly came up with opportunities. The best was awarded early on by Paulo Otávio, who unobtrusively shot the ball past the goal on the right (8th minute). Then the cold shower: Haaland received a failed back pass from Ridle Baku to John Anthony Brooks, who completed the present from the Wolfsburg defender: from ten meters he overcame Casteels in the hosts' goal. It should remain the only ball contact of the guests in the VfL penalty area until the 35th minute. The balance at break was 9: 2 shots on goal.

The second half:

Wolfsburg's top striker Wout Weghorst had just ten ball contacts in the first 45 minutes, in the second half he was in the center of attention after less than 60 seconds, but his shot from the turn went just over the goal (46th).

In the 59th minute, Dortmund's Jew Bellingham saw yellow-red.

Dortmund was now much better in the game and scored the 2-0 (68th) when they were outnumbered.

Almost Bellingham record:

At 17 years and 299 days, Bellingham is the second youngest player in Bundesliga history to be sent off.

Only Maurizio Gaudino (17 years and 271 days) was younger in the 1-0 win of his SV Waldhof Mannheim against Eintracht Braunschweig in September 1984.

Victory against their favorite opponent:

In the 2015 DFB Cup final, VfL Wolfsburg prevailed 3-1 against Borussia Dortmund. So that you get an impression of how many years ago it was in football: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang met for BVB and Kevin de Bruyne for VfL. Since then, there have been ten wins for BVB in eleven matches with just one draw. Game twelve confirmed this development.

Soft legs at VfL:

After the 27th matchday, the world of VfL was bathed in pink colors. Third was the team of coach Oliver Glasner, a full eleven points ahead of fifth BVB should be enough to secure the first Champions League qualification since 2015, which was then achieved under Glasner's predecessor Dieter Hecking. But in addition to the 3: 1 against VfB, a spectacular 3: 4 against Eintracht Frankfurt, a 2: 3 against FC Bayern Munich and now the 0: 2 against Borussia.

The table:

During the week, BVB coach Edin Terzic spoke of a »final« that was waiting for his players. This final was won by his team, it was the fourth victory in a row for Dortmund. There are now two points left, thanks to the Frankfurt defeat in Leverkusen only one on Eintracht. An excellent matchday for BVB.

The outlook:

Wolfsburg will meet Union Berlin and FSV Mainz 05 at home for the last three match days and have to go to Leipzig. BVB also plays twice at home, against Leipzig and Leverkusen. Away, Dortmund still have to play in Mainz. BVB may have picked up speed just in time not to miss the Champions League for the first time since 2015 (sic!), At that time under Terzic's pre-pre-pre-predecessor Jürgen Klopp.