WOLFSBURG, GERMANY — Serhou Guirassy broke Wolfsburg hearts with an 87th-minute winner as Borussia Dortmund snatched a pulsating 2-1 victory at the Volkswagen Arena, maintaining their pursuit of European football's elite competition. The striker's late intervention capped a dominant display from the visitors, who controlled proceedings for long stretches but found themselves frustrated by resolute defending until Fábio Silva's perfectly weighted assist unlocked the door.
The opening exchanges saw Dortmund stamp their authority on proceedings, monopolizing possession and probing for weaknesses in the Wolfsburg backline. Their territorial dominance bore fruit in the 38th minute when Julian Brandt rose majestically at the far post to power a header into the top left corner, meeting Julian Ryerson's pinpoint cross following a corner. The midfielder's timing was impeccable, leaving goalkeeper Jan Bürger with no chance as the ball nestled high in the net. Dortmund's control seemed absolute, their passing crisp and purposeful as they dictated the tempo through midfield maestro Felix Nmecha.
Wolfsburg emerged from the interval with renewed determination, their urgency evident as they pressed higher up the pitch. The home side's persistence paid dividends seven minutes after the restart when Konstantinos Koulierakis thundered home a header from the centre of the box, meeting Maximilian Arnold's inviting cross following a set piece. The Greek defender's powerful finish flew into the high centre of the goal, sending the home supporters into raptures and completely shifting the momentum. Suddenly, the contest hung in the balance, with both sides sensing opportunity.
The match opened up considerably as Wolfsburg grew in confidence, creating genuine opportunities to complete the turnaround. Mohammed Amoura proved a constant menace, forcing Gregor Kobel into a smart save in the 70th minute after Adam Daghim threaded a clever through ball into his path. The Algerian forward's right-footed effort from the right side of the box required Kobel's full attention, with the Dortmund goalkeeper positioning himself perfectly to gather. Moments later, Lovro Majer struck the crossbar with a header from close range, Jeanuël Belocian's cross finding the substitute unmarked in the 80th minute. The woodwork denied Wolfsburg what would have been a deserved lead, and that miss would prove costly.
Dortmund's statistical superiority told the story of their dominance, controlling 65.1% of possession and peppering the Wolfsburg goal with 21 attempts compared to the hosts' 12. Yet despite their territorial advantage, Nuri Şahin's side managed just four shots on target, highlighting their wastefulness in the final third. Wolfsburg matched their opponents' physicality, committing 13 fouls to Dortmund's 10, with both sides collecting a yellow card apiece as referee tensions simmered throughout. The eight corners Dortmund earned reflected their sustained pressure, though converting that pressure into clear-cut chances proved problematic until the decisive moment arrived.
The breakthrough came with just three minutes remaining when substitute Fábio Silva, introduced moments earlier for Julian Ryerson, demonstrated excellent vision to pick out Guirassy's run. The Guinea international made no mistake, drilling his right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner beyond Bürger's despairing dive. The Volkswagen Arena fell silent as Dortmund's traveling contingent erupted in celebration, their team's persistence finally rewarded. Wolfsburg threw bodies forward in desperation during five minutes of added time, but Dortmund's defensive organization held firm, with Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle marshaling the backline expertly.
The contrasting fortunes of these two sides were laid bare by the final whistle. Dortmund's victory consolidates their third-place position on 29 points, keeping them firmly in the hunt for automatic Champions League qualification with their superior goal difference of plus-12 providing additional cushion. For Wolfsburg, languishing in 13th place with just 15 points and a negative goal difference of minus-four, the defeat extends their troubling form. Ralph Hasenhüttl's side have now won just four of their 14 league matches, their defensive vulnerabilities exposed once again despite showing admirable fighting spirit.
Individual performances shaped the narrative throughout. Brandt's all-action display in midfield combined creativity with his crucial opening goal, while Jobe Bellingham's tireless running in the engine room disrupted Wolfsburg's rhythm. For the hosts, Arnold's set-piece delivery remained a constant threat, and Christian Eriksen's experience in midfield provided moments of quality, though the Danish playmaker couldn't quite unlock the winning formula. Koulierakis's equalizing header demonstrated his aerial prowess, but the defensive unit couldn't withstand Dortmund's relentless pressure in the closing stages.
The tactical battle saw Dortmund's high press force Wolfsburg into hurried clearances, with Maximilian Beier's movement stretching the home defense throughout his time on the pitch. Wolfsburg's attempts to counter through Amoura and Kento Shiogai showed promise, but Dortmund's defensive discipline, marshaled by the imposing Süle, limited clear opportunities. The introduction of fresh legs proved decisive, with Silva's impact immediate and telling, underlining the importance of squad depth in the grueling Bundesliga campaign.
Dortmund will carry this momentum into their trip to face Mainz on February 14, knowing three points there would strengthen their Champions League credentials. For Wolfsburg, the search for consistency continues as they desperately seek the results needed to climb away from the relegation conversation that threatens to engulf their season.