Donyell Malen’s Late Strike Secures 1-0 Win for Dortmund Over Sturm Graz

Borussia Dortmund secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sturm Graz at the Westfalenstadion, making it three wins from four in the Champions League and boosting their position to fourth in the group. Although it was far from a classic European performance, Edin Terzic’s side found a way to break through the resilient Austrian defense and claim the crucial three points.

The match was largely defined by Sturm Graz’s spirited defending, especially in the first half. Otar Kiteishvili and the Graz backline held firm, with multiple clearances off the line keeping Dortmund frustrated and scoreless. As the second half progressed, the game remained a tight affair with few clear-cut opportunities for either side.

It wasn’t until the 85th minute that Dortmund finally broke the deadlock. Head coach Nuri Sahin turned to his bench, bringing on Donyell Malen to provide a much-needed spark. Malen’s impact was immediate: Dortmund pressed Graz high up the pitch, forcing an error as the visitors attempted to play out from the back. The ball fell to Guirassy, who held up play before setting up Malen. The Dutch forward made no mistake, smashing a powerful shot across goal from the right side to secure the win.

Dortmund’s xG of 1.68 reflected their edge in attacking play, though the game was far from a dominant performance. Sturm Graz, who generated an xG of 0.57, remain without a win in the competition and sit in 32nd place after another determined but ultimately fruitless showing.

With this victory, Dortmund edge closer to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Sturm Graz will continue their search for their first Champions League win as they aim to turn promising performances into points.