Borussia Dortmund 3-2 St. Pauli Player Ratings: Dramatic Late Penalty Seals Massive for the Hosts

Borussia Dortmund edged past St. Pauli with a dramatic 3–2 victory in a thrilling Bundesliga encounter at Signal Iduna Park. The scoreline reflected the chaos of the night, but Dortmund were pushed to their limits by a fearless and well-organised St. Pauli side.

The hosts began by gradually gaining control, enjoying more of the ball without fully imposing themselves. Their breakthrough arrived just before halftime when Julian Brandt finished off a slick attacking move in the additional minutes of the first half to give Dortmund a narrow lead at the break.

Momentum appeared to swing firmly in Dortmund’s favour early in the second half. Karim Adeyemi doubled the advantage with a composed finish following a swift counter-attack, and at that point, the contest seemed settled.

St. Pauli, however, refused to go away. A James Sands header from a corner reignited the contest before substitute Ricky-Jade Jones produced a moment of brilliance to level the scores, stunning the home crowd and putting a deserved draw firmly on the table.

Late drama ultimately decided the Bundesliga clash. Deep into stoppage time, a VAR review awarded Dortmund a penalty, and captain Emre Can kept his nerve to convert from the spot, sealing an agonising defeat for the visitors.

It was a chaotic and unforgettable night at Signal Iduna Park, one where Dortmund showed resilience to grab the late-minute winner. Here are Sportsdunua’s Borussia Dortmund vs St. Pauli Player Ratings from the Bundesliga clash.

Key Takeaways

• Despite dominating spells and leading twice, Dortmund never fully subdued a brave St. Pauli side.

• Set-piece threat and attacking intent powered a deserved comeback that briefly put the visitors on level terms.

• VAR drama and Emre Can’s stoppage-time penalty sealed a chaotic 3–2 win, highlighting Dortmund’s resilience and fortune.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings vs St. Pauli

Here's a look at the Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel - 6.5: He made a couple of important saves to keep his team in it. Especially the one to deny Ricky-Jade Jones late on was crucial. However, conceding two goals at home after being 2-0 up is never great. We noticed he looked a little uncertain on crosses. He couldn't be faulted directly for the goals, but it wasn't his most commanding performance.

Defenders

Waldemar Anton - 7.0: A really solid outing from the big defender. He was a rock at the back, making seven clearances and winning most of his aerial battles. He even had a powerful header saved late in the game. He was part of a defence that wobbled, but his individual performance was strong and composed.

Nico Schlotterbeck - 6.0: A very mixed performance. He received an early yellow card and looked quite reckless throughout the match. He committed several needless fouls and was caught ball-watching for St. Pauli's first goal. While his passing range was on display, his defensive vulnerabilities were also exposed. He needs to add more composure to his game.

Emre Can - 7.5: What a moment for the captain. He showed nerves of steel to step up and bury the match-winning penalty in stoppage time. That alone warrants a high rating. Beyond that, he was a commanding presence, driving forward from defence and putting in a solid shift. A true leader's contribution when the pressure was immense.

Midfielders

Jobe Bellingham - 6.5: He was tidy on the ball, keeping possession ticking over. However, he struggled to really influence the game in an attacking sense. The physicality of St. Pauli's midfield seemed to overwhelm him at times. He picked up a booking and had a relatively quiet game by his standards.

Felix Nmecha - 5.5: A very anonymous performance. He seemed to be a passenger for large parts of the game. Nmecha lost possession far too easily and offered very little going forward. It was no surprise to see him substituted as Dortmund sought to regain control.

Daniel Svensson - 6.5: He worked tirelessly up and down the left flank. His effort can't be faulted, as he tracked back diligently. However, his final product in attack was often lacking. He put in a decent shift for the team without providing any standout moments of quality.

Julian Ryerson - 6.5: Classic Ryerson, full of energy and aggression. He bombed forward to support attacks and delivered a few dangerous crosses. However, his defensive positioning was questionable at times. He was involved in some key moments before being subbed off after 71 minutes.

Forwards

Julian Brandt - 7.5: Scored the crucial opening goal with a lovely finish. He was Dortmund's main creative force in the first half, drifting into dangerous areas. His influence waned a bit in the second half before he was substituted. A vital contribution to the win nonetheless.

Fábio Silva - 7.0: Didn't get on the scoresheet, but his assist for Adeyemi's goal was superb. He showed great awareness and pace on the counter-attack. His link-up play was intelligent and he worked hard for the team. A promising performance from the forward.

Karim Adeyemi - 8.5: Our man of the match. He was simply electric and unplayable at times. He provided a great assist for Brandt's opener and then scored a goal himself. His blistering pace was a constant nightmare for the St. Pauli defence. He was the highest rated player on the pitch and the key difference-maker for Dortmund.

Substitutes

Maximilian Beier - N/A: Came on late and didn't have enough time to make a significant impact.

Serhou Guirassy - N/A: Replaced Silva but struggled to get involved in his time on the pitch.

Yan Couto - N/A: Brought on for Ryerson but had little influence on the proceedings.

Salih Özcan - N/A: A late sub to shore up the midfield.

Carney Chukwuemeka - N/A: Came on for the final few minutes.

Manager

N. Kovač - 6.5: His team secured the three points, which is the bottom line. However, the manner of the victory was far from convincing. Allowing a two-goal lead to slip at home is a massive red flag. He will be a relieved man, but he has a lot of defensive work to do with this team.

St. Pauli Player Ratings vs Borussia Dortmund

Let's take a look at the St. Pauli Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Nikola Vasilj - 5.5: It was a tough afternoon for the St. Pauli keeper. He conceded three goals and some of his distribution was erratic. He made a couple of saves but looked vulnerable throughout. He couldn't do much about the penalty, but it was a day to forget for him.

Defenders

Karol Mets - 6.0: He had a torrid time trying to handle the pace and movement of Adeyemi. He was often dragged out of position and struggled on the counter-attack. He battled hard but was part of a defence that was exposed too often.

Hauke Wahl - 6.5: The best of a shaky backline. He made a crucial goal-line clearance and threw his body in the way of several shots. He showed great commitment and leadership at the back. Despite conceding three, he can be proud of his effort.

Adam Dzwigala - 6.0: He found it difficult against Dortmund's quick forwards. He was steady for the most part but didn't offer much in terms of authority. He was substituted in the second half as his manager looked to chase the game. An average display.

Midfielders

James Sands - 7.5: An excellent, all-action performance. He kickstarted the comeback with a well-taken header from a corner. He was tenacious in the tackle and drove his team forward from midfield. A very impressive showing in the heart of the battle.

Eric Smith - 8.0: What a player. The captain was magnificent. He provided two superb assists, one for each of his team's goals. His set-piece delivery was a constant threat, and he dictated the tempo for his side. It was a cruel twist of fate that he ended up on the losing team.

Arkadiusz Pyrka - 6.5: He put in a real shift on the right side. He was diligent with his defensive duties and tried to support the attack when possible. A very hard-working and disciplined performance, even if he lacked a bit of quality in the final third.

Lars Ritzka - 6.5: A combative display for his 64 minutes on the pitch. He was aggressive and made several key tackles. Missed a decent chance in the first half which he'll be disappointed with. A solid, battling effort.

Forwards

Joel Chima Fujita - 7.0: A bundle of energy in the attack. He never stopped running at the Dortmund defence, trying to create openings. His final ball was sometimes inconsistent, but his work rate and desire were top-notch. A very lively and encouraging performance.

Martijn Kaars - 6.0: A frustrating evening for the striker. He was often isolated and starved of service, especially in the first half. He worked hard to press the Dortmund defenders but had little impact on the game. It was no surprise to see him substituted.

Mathias Pereira Lage - 7.0: A real warrior. He was a thorn in Dortmund's side all game, winning duels and drawing fouls. He forced a good save from Kobel and was a constant nuisance. A tireless and aggressive performance that unsettled the opposition.

Substitutes

Tomoya Ando - N/A: Came on for the final stretch.

Louis Oppie - N/A: Brought on to offer fresh legs on the flank.

Ricky-Jade Jones - 7.5: An inspired substitution. He made an immediate and huge impact, scoring the equaliser with a brilliant finish. His pace and directness caused chaos in the Dortmund defence. A fantastic cameo that almost earned his team a point.

Manager

A. Blessin - 7.5: He should be immensely proud of his team. To come back from 2-0 down away to Dortmund showed incredible character and belief. His substitutions were spot on, particularly the introduction of Ricky-Jade Jones. He was tactically astute and desperately unlucky to lose in such a heartbreaking fashion.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match goes to Karim Adeyemi of Dortmund.

Worst Performer

Felix Nmecha had a very quiet game and struggled to make an impact.