Dortmund punish Villarreal late in Champions League opener

Villarreal held its own for 80 minutes against Borussia Dortmund, then saw its Champions League debut slip away in a decisive five-minute spell. Dortmund won 3-2 in a match shaped by finishing and efficiency in both penalty areas.

Iñigo Pérez made several changes after Villarreal’s poor start to the league season, handing Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi his first appearance of the campaign. He also strengthened the midfield with a trio of Boubacar Kamara, Santi Comesaña and Pape Gueye. The plan worked for much of the first half, as Villarreal’s midfield prevented Dortmund from launching its usual transitions.

Villarreal created the first danger through Pau Navarro, while Georges Mikautadze and Tajon Buchanan also came close. Dortmund struggled to run at the visitors, although long balls toward Serhou Guirassy eventually caused problems. Gulácsi denied Guirassy late in the first half, when Dortmund pinned Villarreal back without producing clear chances.

Dortmund resumed with the same energy after halftime. Ethan Nwaneri hit the post with Gulácsi beaten, and the hosts soon took the lead when Samuel Beier’s cross deflected into Villarreal’s own goal off Renato Veiga. Villarreal responded through substitutes Nicolas Pépé and Alberto Moleiro, then equalized with a powerful Mouriño header. Kobel quickly denied Buchanan a second goal, but Dortmund recovered through further pressure and changes. Villarreal kept its chances alive until the final whistle, yet the German side’s late decisiveness proved enough.