Key Takeaways
- Borussia Mönchengladbach confirmed their Bundesliga safety with an 88th-minute winner against second-place rivals Borussia Dortmund.
- Haris Tabaković scored the decisive goal after a Video Assistant Referee review correctly overturned an offside decision.
- Borussia Dortmund failed to capitalise on possession dominance and missed a key opportunity to solidify their hold on second position.
The famous “Battle of the Borussias” produced late fireworks at Borussia-Park as the home side fought to avoid the relegation zone. While Borussia Dortmund aimed to protect their automatic Champions League spot, Borussia Mönchengladbach entered the match needing points to guarantee top-flight football next season.
The first 20 minutes were tense but produced little action. A physical struggle in the centre of the pitch meant neither team could build clear attacks. However, the game opened up after 25 minutes when Nico Elvedi volleyed home from a free kick. The assistant referee immediately raised his flag, and the goal was disallowed.
This moment gave the home side fresh energy. Gladbach began to set the pace and looked sharper than the visitors. They created several good chances, but Borussia Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made two vital saves to keep his team level. The half ended scoreless.
The second period started quickly. Just three minutes after the restart, Franck Honorat sent a dangerous cross from the right wing. Haris Tabaković met it in the box, but his shot missed the target by a small margin. Dortmund saw more of the ball as the half progressed, yet they could not turn this control into real scoring opportunities.
The winning moment arrived in the 88th minute. Midfielder Rocco Reitz played an excellent pass through the defence. Tabaković ran onto the ball and finished with calm precision. The linesman first ruled the goal out for offside, but the VAR team asked the referee to review the incident. After checking the monitor, the official awarded the goal.
This late strike secured a 1-0 victory for Gladbach and confirmed their safety in the Bundesliga. For Dortmund, the result was a bitter blow that leaves their hold on second place looking less certain.