Borussia Dortmund were stunned on the opening day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season as newly-promoted side St. Pauli fought back to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Millerntor-Stadion. In a match with filled with lots of intensity and dramas, BVB looked to have done enough for three points only to be denied by Eric Smith’s strike in stoppage time. Softfootball reports.
The game began in chaotic fashion with confetti covering the pitch and a loud home crowd creating a special atmosphere. St. Pauli nearly stunned the visitors after 17 minutes when Waldemar Anton’s miscued clearance fell kindly for Andreas Hountondji, but Gregor Kobel produced a vital save.
Dortmund responded quickly as Serhou Guirassy forced a strong stop from Nikola Vasilj, before the St. Pauli goalkeeper denied Pascal Groß following neat play from Karim Adeyemi.
BVB eventually broke the deadlock just past the half-hour mark. Star summer signing Jobe Bellingham recycled possession, setting up Marcel Sabitzer whose pinpoint cross was headed home by top striker Guirassy.
The talisman had a chance to score a brace minutes later from the penalty spot after Adeyemi was tripped in the area, but Vasilj guessed correctly to keep out his effort. St. Pauli had their own penalty appeals waved away before the break, leaving Dortmund narrowly ahead at half-time.
Niko Kovač made changes at the interval, introducing Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha. But within five minutes of the restart, St. Pauli levelled as Danel Sinani’s teasing cross was expertly glanced in by Hountondji.
Dortmund wrestled back control in the 67th minute, however, when Yan Couto’s free-kick sparked a slick one-touch move that ended with Anton curling home for 2-1. Brandt appeared to seal the win 13 minutes later, showing composure to finish Groß’s long ball for Dortmund’s third.
Kobel was still called into action to keep Dortmund ahead, pulling off a double save to deny Sinani and Alhassan Ceesay. Yet the game’s complexion changed late on when a VAR check penalised Fillipo Mané for dragging back Ceesay inside the box. The defender was sent off and Sinani converted the penalty to make it 3-2.
The home fans had barely finished celebrating when their captain Eric Smith produced a moment of magic. The midfielder pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a stunning drive through a crowded area, leaving Kobel helpless and sending the Millerntor into absolute pandemonium.
According to St. Pauli’s official website, the home fans had barely finished celebrating when their captain Eric Smith produced a moment of magic. The midfielder pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a stunning drive through a crowded area, leaving Kobel helpless and sending the Millerntor into absolute pandemonium.
Dortmund will view this as two points dropped, having led twice and held a two-goal cushion with 15 minutes to play. The black and yellow are looking look to further strengthen their squad with players incoming to avoid scenarios like this as the season goes on, For St. Pauli, however, the result was a statement of intent on their Bundesliga return, proving they have the spirit and quality to go toe-to-toe with one of Germany’s biggest club
