Borussia Dortmund pulled off a remarkable turnaround, defeating Holstein Kiel 3-0 on the final matchday to finish fourth in the Bundesliga and grab the last Champions League spot. This capped off the best comeback over the final seven rounds in league history.
Strong Start and Red Card Turn Game in Dortmund’s Favor
Dortmund opened the scoring early with a third-minute penalty from Serhou Guirassy. The game tilted further when Kiel’s Carl Johansson received a straight red, reducing them to 10 men. Despite the advantage, Dortmund only managed to double their lead after halftime.
Second-Half Goals Seal Borussia Dortmund’s Top-Four Finish
In the second half, Marcel Sabitzer struck in the 47th minute, followed by Felix Nmecha’s goal in the 72nd minute, securing a 3-0 victory and Borussia Dortmund’s place in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League.
Kovac’s Impact: From 11th to 4th in Three Months
Appointed in February with Dortmund languishing in 11th, Niko Kovac led the team to six wins in their final seven games. “We were passengers for a long time, but today we grabbed the wheel,” he said, crediting the collective effort behind Dortmund’s revival.
What’s Next for Borussia Dortmund?
The squad will take a short two-week break before regrouping for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, looking to build on their strong finish.
