Borussia Dortmund surrendered a two-goal lead in the final minutes to draw 2-2 with Werder Bremen, suffering their first Bundesliga setback of the season after Niclas Füllkrug struck in stoppage time at a sold-out stadium in Dortmund.
The result halted Dortmund's perfect start following four victories to open the league campaign. Daniel Svensson and Nico Schlotterbeck had put the hosts ahead before Ludovit Reis pulled a goal back for Bremen ahead of Füllkrug's late equalizer in the 90th plus second minute, according to match reports.
Dortmund Dominates Possession Before Late Collapse
The fixture marked the return of Bundesliga action following a nearly three-week international break. Dortmund controlled the tempo and enjoyed long spells of possession against a deep-sitting Werder defense during a scoreless first half that produced few clear openings.
Neither side managed a shot on target for the opening half-hour until Serhou Guirassy registered a routine header from a corner kick in the 32nd minute, which Bremen goalkeeper Karl Hein easily gathered. Bremen threatened shortly before halftime when Ludovit Reis fired a low shot narrowly past the post in the 37th minute, followed moments later by Marcel Sabitzer missing a 30-yard free kick for the hosts.
Nwaneri Scores Acrobatic Goal but Referee Disallows It
The match opened up after the interval as Nico Schlotterbeck tested Hein from distance in the 47th minute. Werder nearly broke the deadlock against the run of play when Füllkrug beat defender Joane Gadou, forcing goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into a crucial save with his foot in the 54th minute.
Dortmund responded with sustained pressure. Hein stopped a low effort from Ethan Nwaneri, before Nwaneri found the net with an acrobatic overhead kick following a corner in the 62nd minute. Referee Christian Dingert disallowed the goal after ruling that Schlotterbeck had committed a foul in the build-up.
The deadlock finally broke in the 80th minute when Maximilian Beier won possession and played in Daniel Svensson, who finished past Hein to open the scoring. Five minutes later, Schlotterbeck rose unmarked at the back post to head in Dortmund's second goal.
Werder Bremen Rally in the Closing Minutes
Bremen refused to fold in the closing stages. Ludovit Reis scored in the 88th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1, injecting fresh momentum into the visitors' attack. In the second minute of stoppage time, Füllkrug pounced to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw for his side.
"We gave the game away," Dortmund trainer Niko Kovac said after the match. "We dominated the opponent for 88 minutes. It is not a drama. But I am very disappointed."
Werder trainer Daniel Thioune praised his team's resilience after claiming five points from losing positions this season, a league high. "It is not normal to come back like this here in Dortmund," Thioune said. "Niclas Füllkrug is the X-factor. He is a decisive factor in our game. He drags many along with him."
Dortmund Faces Six Fixtures in October
The draw leaves Dortmund facing a demanding October schedule featuring six fixtures across the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League, including upcoming European away trips to Azerbaijan and Norway.
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