Dortmund beat Besiktas 2-1 on Haaland goal

Sports Desk, Sep 15 (EFE).- Erling Haaland’s goal just before the break provided the margin of victory Wednesday for Borussia Dortmund, who conceded in the 94th minute but hung on to prevail 2-1 in the Champions League opener for both teams.

The result leaves the Bundesliga side alone atop Group C pending the outcome of the match later Wednesday between Ajax and Sporting.

Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel did well in the 6th minute to stop Michy Batshuayi from giving the hosts an early lead.

Jude Bellingham made it 1-0 for the visitors in the 20th, chesting down a cross from Thomas Meunier before putting the ball between the legs of keeper Ersin Destanoglu.

Three minutes into first-half stoppage time, a throw-in came to Bellingham and the 18-year-old England international passed to Haaland, who fired home from six yards to double Dortmund’s advantage.

Both of the Dortmund scorers had chances to extend the lead in the second half.

Bellingham had the third goal on his foot in the 67th minute only to watch Destanoglu make the stop four minutes before likewise denying the Norwegian sensation.

In between those opportunities for Dortmund, Kobel made another excellent stop against Batshuayi.

An eventful seven minutes of stoppage time saw Dortmund’s Ansgard Knauf hit the cross-bar in the 92nd minute and Francisco Montero claw back a goal for Besiktas with a header off Miralem Pjanic’s free kick. EFE rz/dr