Bundesliga: St. Pauli Holds Dortmund to a Thrilling Stalemate

Borussia Dortmund's late collapse

FC St. Pauli and Borussia Dortmund played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Bundesliga, with St. Pauli coming from behind to snatch a point at the Millerntor-Stadion.

St. Pauli staged an incredible comeback to snatch a 3-3 draw against Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling Bundesliga encounter. Dortmund had initially taken the lead, but St. Pauli's relentless attack paid off with two late goals, denying Dortmund a third consecutive head-to-head victory.

FC St. Pauli kicked off the match on a promising note, with Louis Oppie narrowly missing the target. However, their optimism was short-lived as Andreas Hountondji capitalized on a defensive lapse and sent a defense-splitting pass that forced Gregor Kobel to make a spectacular save at his right-hand post in the 18th minute.

As the game progressed, Borussia Dortmund began to assert their dominance, particularly after the midway point of the first half. Pascal Gross had a golden opportunity to score when he latched onto the ball in the box, but Nikola Vasilj's impressive save denied him. Despite Dortmund's growing momentum, St. Pauli's defense remained resolute, setting the stage for an intense battle.

 

Perhaps inevitably, it was Serhou Guirassy who struck first instead, when he brilliantly towered above the St. Pauli defence to power a header home from Marcel Sabitzer’s delivery into the box in the 34th minute.

The Guinea international also had an opportunity to net his second of the evening from the penalty spot just five minutes later, but Vasilj made a great save to keep St. Pauli in the game.

Full-time. pic.twitter.com/y8MDXYeMwj

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) August 23, 2025

Serhou Guirassy broke the deadlock with a stunning header in the 34th minute, rising above the St. Pauli defense to power home Marcel Sabitzer's precise delivery into the box. The Guinea international's clinical finish gave Borussia Dortmund the lead, but St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj made a crucial save just five minutes later to deny Guirassy a second goal from the penalty spot, keeping his team in the match.

Almost poetically, St Pauli capitalised on that let-off after the restart and levelled after just five minutes. In similar circumstances to Dortmund’s opener, as Hountondji dwarfed the opposition defence to head home from Danel Sinani’s cross.

The momentum was now with the home side, and Mathias Pereira Lage came close to giving the hosts the lead, but his effort was comfortably saved by Kobel.

In a dramatic turn of events, St Pauli capitalized on their earlier reprieve and leveled the score just five minutes into the second half. Andreas Hountondji rose above the Dortmund defense to head home Danel Sinani's precise cross, showcasing his aerial prowess. The momentum had now shifted decisively in favor of the home side.

St. Pauli's failure to capitalize on their momentum ultimately proved costly, as Dortmund seized the opportunity to take the lead once again. A slick team move culminated in Waldemar Anton's clinical finish, sweeping the ball into the far corner and leaving the St. Pauli goalkeeper with no chance.

Borussia Dortmund Takes the Lead

Borussia Dortmund seemed to have secured the points with a beautifully crafted goal, as Pascal Gross initiated the move with a perfectly weighted pass over the top. Julian Brandt showcased his skill by controlling the ball and finishing with a tidy shot into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

However, the game took a dramatic turn when Filippo Mane was sent off, and Dortmund's lead was suddenly under threat. The penalty given away by Mane provided St Pauli with a lifeline, and the home side capitalized on the opportunity.

Match Recap

FC St. Pauli staged an incredible comeback against Borussia Dortmund, with Danel Sinani scoring a crucial goal in the dying minutes to cut the deficit to one goal. The turnaround was completed in the 89th minute when Eric Smith leveled the match with a powerful shot into the bottom left corner, leaving Dortmund stunned and frustrated.

Aftermath

• Dortmund's Disappointment: Dortmund will be left incensed after letting their two-goal lead slip, especially considering their 11-match winning streak on opening day.
• Bundesliga Standings: The draw gives Bayern Munich a head start in the title race, adding pressure on Dortmund to bounce back quickly.
• FC St. Pauli's Resilience: St. Pauli's ability to come back from behind showcases their resilience and determination, making them a formidable opponent in the league.