Dortmund Edges Hoffenheim in Dramatic Finish Despite Missed Opportunities

Borussia Dortmund kept their Champions League hopes alive with a thrilling 3-2 victory over TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, despite missing a penalty and enduring a tense final stretch. Thanks to Waldemar Anton’s stoppage-time winner, confirmed after a lengthy VAR review, Dortmund secured a crucial win on the fourth-to-last matchday of the Bundesliga season.

Serhou Guirassy continued his impressive form by opening the scoring in the 20th minute, notching his 17th goal of the season. However, he missed a golden opportunity to double the lead when his penalty was saved by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann just 14 minutes later.

Hoffenheim clawed their way back when Adam Hlozek found the net to level the score midway through the second half. Dortmund regained control shortly after, with Julian Brandt — recently under heavy criticism — putting BVB ahead again with a composed finish in the 74th minute. But the drama was far from over.

Pavel Kaderabek’s header deep into stoppage time pulled Hoffenheim back level at 2-2, setting up a frantic ending. Moments later, a collision involving Carney Chukwuemeka left Baumann down, and Anton capitalized on a pass from Guirassy to slot home the winner in the 95th minute. After a long VAR consultation, referee Benjamin Brand awarded the decisive goal, sparking wild celebrations.

Hoffenheim’s Relegation Fears Grow

The loss leaves Hoffenheim dangerously close to the relegation zone. Their cushion over 1. FC Heidenheim, who picked up a vital win against Stuttgart, has now been reduced to just five points — making the fight for survival even more intense for coach Christian Ilzer’s side.

Dortmund manager Niko Kovac, speaking before the match, had emphasized the importance of treating every remaining fixture as a final. Missing key players like Maximilian Beier due to injury, Kovac entrusted Jamie Gittens and Julian Brandt to lead the attack.

Despite Hoffenheim’s attempts to bolster their defense with the return of Leo Östigard and a back five, Dortmund’s technical superiority shone through early. Brandt nearly opened the scoring within ten minutes, but Baumann was up to the challenge, denying him with a sharp save.

Hoffenheim struggled to create meaningful chances, especially without the suspended Tom Bischof, and Dortmund’s quick transitions repeatedly threatened their backline. Brandt’s involvement in the build-up to Guirassy’s opener highlighted Dortmund’s dominance.

Although Guirassy missed a chance to double the advantage from the penalty spot — Baumann’s third penalty save of the season — Dortmund kept pressing. Gittens had a clear opportunity after the break but was again thwarted by the Hoffenheim captain.

On a day that marked the 85th birthday of Hoffenheim’s influential backer Dietmar Hopp — who was absent from the stadium — Dortmund spoiled the celebrations with a relentless, if sometimes chaotic, performance that saw them climb to sixth place in the Bundesliga table.