Haaland is The Difference As Dortmund Win Against Dusseldorf

It was a dramatic end at to the contest as Erling Braut Haaland’s late goal was the difference against Fortuna Dussseldorf.

The match was primed to end as a stalemate after Raphael Gurreiro’s second half strike was ruled out for handball but Haaland reverted to super sub mode to ensure Bayern cannot establish a nine point lead at the top on Saturday.

Despite several chances created by Jadon Sancho in the first half, Dortmund could not put the ball at the back of the net as they lacked a clinical edge until Haaland made a cameo return from a knee injury. Archaf Hakimi should have taken the lead Dortmund when he had only the keeper to beat in the 17th minute after a rapid break following a Dusseldorf corner.

Sancho and Julian Brandt also combined twice but Brandt was denied by a last ditch tackle from Andre Hoffman and the goal keeper Florian Kastenmeier on another occasion.

Haaland’s introduction soon after the restart almost paid dividends as his shot took a deflection and dropped nicely to Raphael Gurreiro whose drilled attempt was ruled out after a VAR check.

Dusseldorf also had two opportunities to take the lead as Steven Skrzybski’s effort from distance hit the left hand post in the 82nd minute before being denied by the other upright in stoppage time.

Dortmund then took the lead immediately after as Haaland guided a header past Kastenmeier from a cross provided by Manuel Akanji.

This ensures that the title race is still open, at least for now.

Dortmund host Mainz at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday while Dusseldorf will face RB Leipzig on the same day.