In a thrilling showdown, Borussia Dortmund clinched a spot in the Champions League semifinals with a heart-stopping 4-2 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Marcel Sabitzer emerged as the hero, scoring late and orchestrating two crucial goals to propel Dortmund to a 5-4 aggregate win over their Spanish rivals.
After suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg in Madrid, Dortmund faced an uphill battle, needing to overturn the deficit to advance. The German side displayed resilience and determination, coming from behind twice over the two legs to secure a dramatic victory.
Julian Brandt ignited Dortmund’s comeback by opening the scoring, leveling the tie and setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. Sabitzer then played a pivotal role, assisting Ian Maatsen to give Dortmund a 2-0 lead on the night, igniting hopes of a miraculous turnaround.
However, Atletico Madrid, under the guidance of coach Diego Simeone, staged a spirited fightback, with three halftime substitutions breathing new life into their campaign. A Mats Hummels own goal and a strike from substitute Joaquin Correa swung the momentum in favor of the Spanish side, putting them ahead on aggregate once again.
Amidst the tension and drama, Sabitzer stepped up when it mattered most, setting up Niclas Fullkrug for a crucial equalizer in the 71st minute. The goal marked Fullkrug’s first after nine scoreless games, injecting renewed belief into Dortmund’s quest for victory.
Not content with just an assist, Sabitzer sealed Dortmund’s triumph with a goal of his own just three minutes later, sending the Signal Iduna Park into a frenzy and propelling his team into the Champions League semifinals.
Reflecting on the pulsating encounter, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke expressed his delight, describing it as a “rollercoaster” and a “great evening” for the club. With their dramatic victory, Dortmund advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2013, marking a significant milestone in their European campaign and sparking celebrations among their loyal supporters.
