Dortmund Edges Essen 1-0 in German Cup Opener

Dortmund holds on for 1-0 win over

Borussia Dortmund advances to the second round of the German Cup with a 1-0 win over third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen, thanks to Serhou Guirassy's decisive goal.

Borussia Dortmund's first competitive match of the season was a nail-biter, but Serhou Guirassy's clinical finish in the 79th minute proved to be the difference-maker, securing a 1-0 win over third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen in the German Cup. Guirassy's goal showcased his skill and composure, giving Dortmund a hard-fought victory.

Dortmund struggled to break down Essen's disciplined defense, which worked tirelessly to nullify the visitors' attacking threats. Despite dominating possession, Dortmund's shots were either blocked or saved, and it wasn't until Guirassy's decisive strike that they managed to capitalize on their chances.

A hard fought victory! 😤 pic.twitter.com/57RhSGgPDV

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 18, 2025

Essen nearly scored in the 41st minute when Romien Safi's close-range effort was expertly saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

After halftime, Essen maintained their bold approach, initially stifling Dortmund's attacks while waiting for opportunities on the counter. However, they couldn't prevent Serhou Guirassy from scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute. Guirassy collected the ball on the edge of the box, outmuscled two Essen defenders, and fired a powerful, low shot past the goalkeeper to give Dortmund the lead.

Serhou ‘Man Of The Match’ Guirassy 🥱🏆 pic.twitter.com/1HTJcBmqSL

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 18, 2025

Borussia Dortmund secured a spot in the second round of the German Cup with a narrow 1-0 win over Rot-Weiss Essen. Despite Essen's late surge, Dortmund held firm, thanks to Serhou Guirassy's 79th-minute penalty kick. However, the victory came at a cost, as defender Yan Couto suffered an injury in stoppage time due to a rough tackle by Kelsey Owusu. Dortmund's next challenge awaits on Saturday, when they'll take on FC St Pauli in their Bundesliga season opener.