Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Sporting: Donyell Malen finally gets off the mark with first-half winner

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Sporting: Jadon Sancho’s replacement Donyell Malen finally gets off the mark with first-half winner as injury-hit hosts make it two wins out of two in the Champions League

  • Donyell Malen scored his first goal for Borussia Dortmund at the 10th attempt
  • Dutch forward had failed to register a goal or an assist since his £25m arrival
  • Dortmund had the ball in the net twice more but both efforts were ruled offside


Donyell Malen scored his first goal for Borussia Dortmund at the 10th attempt to secure a nervy win in the Champions League.

The Dutch forward had been under fire after failing to register a goal or an assist since his £25m arrival from PSV Eindhoven as the replacement for Manchester United bound Jadon Sancho.

Malen opened the scoring from a through ball by Jude Bellingham in the 37th minute on Tuesday night.   

Donyell Malen scored his first goal for Borussia Dortmund at the 10th attempt

The Germans were badly missing injured top striker Erling Haaland and, while dominating possession, they could have used the Norwegian’s power and finishing abilities up front.

Dortmund struck with their first real chance when 22-year-old Dutch international Malen completed a quick three-pass move across the entire pitch with a well-placed low shot in the 37th minute for what was also his first ever Champions League goal.

Dortmund had the ball in the net twice more in the second half but both efforts were ruled offside.

The Germans and group leaders Ajax Amsterdam, 2-0 winners over Besiktas, have six points. Sporting and Turkish club Besiktas have no points.

Malen opened the scoring from a through ball by Jude Bellingham in the 37th minute

Malen opened the scoring from a through ball by Jude Bellingham in the 37th minute

Dortmund's Malen, left, celebrates with team-mate Bellingham after scoring in the first-half

Dortmund’s Malen, left, celebrates with team-mate Bellingham after scoring in the first-half

Injured Erling Haaland with the 2020/21 Champions League Forward of the Season trophy

Injured Erling Haaland with the 2020/21 Champions League Forward of the Season trophy

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