Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland scored twice beat Mainz 3-1 and go top of the Bundesliga table
On his return from injury, Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland scored twice to help his club defeat Mainz 3-1 and move to the top of the Bundesliga table. The Norwegian forward, who had been out since late September, scored a penalty kick in the 54th minute after a lengthy VAR review of a handball and then scored twice in second-half stoppage time.
“It is clear he had been missing in our team,” said Dortmund captain Marco Reus. “It is important that he plays because he constantly keeps two or three players occupied. To score two goals on his comeback is top. That is why we signed him.”
The hosts were off to a flying start, with captain Marco Reus thumping in a deflected cutback in the third minute to give them the lead. It was Reus’ 14th goal against Mainz in 20 outings, the highest against any Bundesliga team.
Dortmund possessed three-quarters of possession in a tense first half but had to wait nearly the entire half for another chance, which came in stoppage time when a Jude Bellingham shot was cleared off the line.
We go top of the table! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/o0bs6HIUww
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) October 16, 2021
Dortmund didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead after dominating the first half and being on the front foot from the start. Following a lengthy VAR review for handball against Silvan Widmer, Haaland won and converted a penalty shortly after Aaron Martin diverted a Meunier cross just wide. Karim Onisiwo threatened retaliation, but after avoiding the offside trap, he couldn’t make his tough lobbed attempt on goal.
As the game progressed, Mats Hummels deflected a Reus corner against the far post, before Jean-Paul Boetius pushed Gregor Kobel into a strong reaction save with a long-range drive. Following a miscued Kobel clearance, Mainz substitute Jonathan Burkardt reduced the areas, but Haaland tucked away a pass from Jude Bellingham to seal the deal in extended time with his 49th Bundesliga goal in as many games.