Dortmund Stages Comeback to Defeat Lille, Advance to Quarterfinals

LILLE, France — Borussia Dortmund overcame an early deficit to secure a 2-1 victory over Lille on March 12, 2025, clinching a place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate win.

Lille began the match strong, with Jonathan David scoring the opener in the fifth minute, slotting the ball through goalkeeper Gregor Kobel’s legs. However, Dortmund responded in the second half with goals from Emre Can and Maximilian Beier, advancing them further in the tournament.

Emre Can equalized for Dortmund in the 54th minute, converting a penalty after Lille’s Thomas Meunier fouled Serhou Guirassy inside the box. Can’s calm finish boosted Dortmund’s confidence as the team pushed for a winner.

“We had many chances to score, especially in the first half. The team didn’t let up in the second half, and we kept the tempo high,” Can said after the match. “This victory is more than deserved.”

Maximilian Beier then delivered the decisive blow in the 65th minute, netting the winner with a well-placed shot into the top corner of the net.

Lille, which had not reached the Champions League quarterfinals previously, faced disappointment after a commendable campaign that saw them secure a spot in the knockout stage directly from the league phase.

Lille’s frustration was evident post-match. Midfielder Hakon Arnar Haraldsson reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “We did not play our usual game. We panicked and should have kept our composure.”

The match saw a competitive atmosphere at the Decathlon Arena, with 48,042 fans in attendance. Dortmund dominated possession slightly and was more effective in front of goal, with 11 total shots compared to Lille’s four.

Lille’s strong start was promising but ultimately not enough to overcome Dortmund’s experience. Despite daring efforts and a few near-misses, such as an attempt by defender Alexsandro that went wide, Lille struggled to capitalize on their early advantage.

<p“Honestly, we are extremely relieved. It was tough to progress, but our performance was commendable,” said Dortmund midfielder Sebastian Kehl.

Dortmund will face FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals, looking to build on their strong European form after finishing as runners-up in the previous season. Meanwhile, Lille must regroup for the remainder of their domestic league campaign, aiming to improve their standing.