UCL: Dortmund and Lille Share Spoils in Champions League First Leg

Borussia Dortmund and Lille played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund and Lille played out a tightly contested 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at Signal Iduna Park. This result extends Lille's unbeaten run against German teams in European competitions to three matches (W1, D2).

The hosts took 22 minutes to break the deadlock in their first competitive encounter with Lille in 23 years. Karim Adeyemi showcased his talent on the European stage with a well-crafted goal. Adeyemi positioned himself on the edge of the box, waiting for the ball to break to him from a corner. He then timed his strike perfectly, drilling the ball past a stationary Lucas Chevalier.

Nothing to separate the sides in Dortmund.#UCL pic.twitter.com/tUaM4QjZuc

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2025

Dortmund maintained their dominance throughout the first half, leaving Lille struggling to make an impact. The visitors were fortunate to enter the break with only a one-goal deficit, as Pascal Groß's close-range effort was disallowed for offside on the stroke of halftime.

Lille emerged from the break with renewed intent, following a motivational team talk from coach Bruno Génésio. Although they displayed greater attacking vigor, Dortmund's defense, which had kept four clean sheets in their previous five matches, provided stern resistance. Lille's persistence eventually paid off in the 68th minute when Hákon Arnar Haraldsson scored the equalizer, poking the ball past Gregor Kobel after being played through by Jonathan David.

The equalizer seemed to catch Dortmund off guard, and Niko Kovač's team struggled to regain their earlier control and dominance. They were unable to muster a meaningful response to Lille's well-deserved equalizer, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw.

In the end, Lille comfortably saw out the remainder of the match, securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw that will give them a sense of accomplishment as they head back to France.

The draw provides Lille with a solid foundation to build upon, as they aim to reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, Dortmund faces a daunting task in the return leg, requiring a strong performance in France to keep their hopes alive and replicate last season's impressive run to the final.