Five Minutes Doom Villarreal as Dortmund Win 3-2

Five minutes of attacking inspiration condemned Villarreal to a 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund in their opening Champions League match.

The Spanish side played well for 80 minutes and appeared capable of taking control after Mouriño equalized. Instead, it failed to make the most of its strongest spell and paid for that lack of finishing in the closing stages.

Villarreal coach Iñigo Pérez made several changes after the team’s poor start to the league season. Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi made his first appearance of the campaign, while Saliba, Comesaña and Gueye formed a stronger midfield three. The plan worked for much of the first half, as Villarreal’s midfield neutralized Dortmund’s usual counterattacks.

Villarreal created the first danger through Pau Navarro, while Mikautadze and Buchanan also came close. Dortmund relied on long passes toward Serhou Guirassy and finished the first half with pressure, but Gulácsi denied the German striker’s best chance. Early in the second half, Nwaneri hit the post with Gulácsi beaten.

Dortmund then took the lead when Beier crossed after a run down the wing and Renato Veiga accidentally turned the ball into his own net. Villarreal responded, with Oluwaseyi heading over from close range. The introductions of Pépé and Moleiro added energy, and Mouriño equalized with a powerful header. Villarreal pushed for a second goal, but Kobel denied Buchanan. Dortmund recovered as the match progressed, leaving Villarreal without a point.