Bundesliga
Augsburg came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 with Alexis Claude-Maurice scoring twice on his first start as BVB's away struggles continued.
Augsburg 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Malen 4' (assist: Guirassy), 1-1 Claude-Maurice 25', 2-1 Claude-Maurice 50'
Red card: Kabar (90'+9)
The match exploded into life almost immediately, with Dortmund seizing the initiative in the fourth minute. Donyell Malen combined brilliantly with Serhou Guirassy on the edge of the area before unleashing a crisp, confident finish into the top corner, leaving Nediljko Labrović with no chance. The early goal seemed to galvanise the visitors, who dominated possession and looked to build on their advantage.
As the half progressed, Augsburg gradually found their footing, with Marius Wolf and Frank Onyeka winning crucial tackles. Their persistence paid off in the 25th minute when Claude-Maurice announced his arrival in spectacular fashion. The Frenchman, picked out by ex-Dortmund man Wolf, received the ball and unleashed a powerful low drive from 30 yards out. The shot, while not the most powerful, was perfectly placed, nestling into the bottom corner past a diving Gregor Kobel. The equaliser energised the home side and their supporters, setting the stage for an enthralling contest.
The second half began with Augsburg in the ascendancy, and it didn't take long for them to capitalise. Just five minutes after the restart, Claude-Maurice struck again. A well-worked move involving Elvis Rexhbecaj set up the Frenchman, who showed remarkable composure to curl a delightful shot beyond Kobel and into the far corner. The goal sent the WWK Arena into raptures and left Dortmund reeling. The visitors' woes were compounded when Julian Ryerson was forced off with an injury, leading to the Bundesliga debut of 18-year-old Almugera Kabar.
Despite dominating possession, Dortmund struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Augsburg defence. Jamie Gittens came closest to equalising, but his effort from close range was expertly saved by Labrović. Nuri Şahin introduced Maximilian Beier and Pascal Groß in an attempt to change the tide, but Augsburg's resolute defending, led by Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, held firm. As the match entered its final stages, Dortmund's frustrations boiled over. Kabar, having only been on the pitch for 31 minutes, received his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card for pulling Rexhbecaj's jersey, effectively ending any hopes of a late comeback.
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In a performance that will long be remembered by Augsburg fans, Claude-Maurice was the undoubted star of the show. Making his first start for the club, the Frenchman displayed clinical finishing and remarkable composure, scoring with both of his shots on target. His two goals, each showcasing different aspects of his skill set, were instrumental in turning the tide of the match. Claude-Maurice's ability to influence the game, despite limited possession, underlines his efficiency and impact, making him a worthy Player of the Match.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Augsburg 0.7167 - Dortmund 0.9417
Fastest player: Cole Campbell (Dortmund), 36.04 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg), 2.74 percent
Most pressed player: Jamie Gittens (Dortmund), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Pascal Groß (Dortmund), +1.92
Fantasy Heroes: Alexis Claude-Maurice (Augsburg, 409 Points), Marius Wolf (Augsburg, 235 Points), Jamie Gittens (Dortmund, 230 Points)