Borussia Dortmund delivered a commanding performance, scoring once in each half to clinch a 2-0 triumph over Newcastle United in the Champions League on Tuesday. The result has propelled them into a favorable position in Group F, with two games remaining.
Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug was the hero in the 26th minute, netting his first Champions League goal with a precise strike from close range. The opener showcased Dortmund’s early dominance.
In the 79th minute, Julian Brandt dashed ahead to seize a breakaway opportunity, sealing the victory and diminishing Newcastle’s prospects of a top-two finish.
This victory propelled Dortmund to seven points at the summit of the group, having triumphed over the Premier League club in both of their group-stage encounters. Newcastle, on the other hand, has accumulated four points.
Dortmund’s coach, Edin Terzic, praised his team’s brilliant collective effort, saying, “It was a well-deserved win with a fantastic team performance. We wanted to make it up to the fans following Saturday’s match. Beating Newcastle twice and keeping two clean sheets is encouraging, but seven points are not enough. It’s a good step, but more steps must follow.”
Newcastle’s coach, Eddie Howe, emphasized that his squad must win their remaining matches to have any chance of advancing. He expressed the belief that they were not far from victory and highlighted their potential even with several key players sidelined.
Dortmund showed unshaken confidence from the outset, displaying no signs of Saturday’s 4-0 home loss to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. They maintained control throughout the game, with fans briefly interrupting the match by tossing fake gold bars onto the pitch to protest UEFA’s planned competition reforms.
Dortmund’s early dominance paid off when Fullkrug combined effectively with Marcel Sabitzer and unleashed a left-footed strike into the roof of Newcastle’s net, giving them a well-deserved lead. A lightning-fast break and a later Sabitzer shot that went over the bar nearly added another goal to their tally.
Despite missing key players due to injuries, including Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, and Elliot Anderson, Newcastle displayed resilience in the second half. The introduction of Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almirón injected pace into their game. Joelinton missed their best opportunity in the 56th minute when his header from a precise Tino Livramento cross narrowly missed the target.
Livramento’s outstanding performance was one of the few bright spots for Howe’s team as the 20-year-old made a remarkable Champions League debut.
Dortmund put the match to bed in the 79th minute when Karim Adeyemi set up Brandt on a breakaway, and the German midfielder calmly slotted in their second goal.