Football Match Report | Borussia Dortmund 4 - 0 Villarreal

Borussia Dortmund climbed to fourth in the league phase of the Champions League.

Serhou Guirassy struck twice in what was a comfortable win over 10-man Villarreal.

Author | Michael Haldsworth

Stadium | SIGNAL IDUNA PARK

The Guinea striker opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time with a close-range header, though Villarreal protested for a handball by Waldemar Anton in the build-up. After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was allowed to stand.

The match tilted further Dortmund’s way early in the second half when Villarreal were reduced to 10. Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth was dismissed for handling on the goalline as he attempted to block Karim Adeyemi’s shot with his chest. Guirassy saw his penalty saved by Luiz Junior, but the rebound sat kindly and he tucked it away.

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Dortmund made it 3-0 six minutes later when a defensive clearance ricocheted off Adeyemi and bounced into the net. They had another opportunity from the spot after Sergi Cardona fouled Adeyemi, but with Guirassy withdrawn, Fabio Silva stepped up and clipped the crossbar.

The Bundesliga side did add a fourth in added time, Daniel Svensson powering in a header from a Pascal Gross cross. The result moved Dortmund to 10 points from five matches, leaving them well placed to secure a top-eight finish and bypass the play-off round.

Could things have been different?

Villarreal, meanwhile, sit third from bottom with a solitary point and are staring at an early exit. They will lament Foyth’s red card and a disallowed effort at 0-0, when Tani Oluwaseyi was ruled offside before finishing, while Pape Gueye went close from 15 yards.

Dortmund steadily took control and threatened through Adeyemi’s driving run, only for Foyth to intervene inside his own six-yard box. Guirassy’s breakthrough ultimately proved pivotal as Dortmund claimed their third win of the campaign.