It wasn’t pretty at first — but it ended in pure domination. Borussia Dortmund buried Villarreal CF under a avalanche of goals in a 4-0 thrashing at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK on Tuesday night, November 25, 2025. The win, witnessed by a roaring 81,365 fans, didn’t just lift Dortmund to fourth in the UEFA Champions League league phase standings — it made them the tournament’s most prolific attack, with 17 goals in five matches. And yet, for all the fireworks, the night was defined by missed chances, VAR drama, and a red card that changed everything.
A slow burn before the explosion
For 45 minutes, it felt like Villarreal had the upper hand. The Spanish side, despite sitting 32nd in the Champions League with zero points, looked organized, compact, and dangerous on the counter. Dortmund, the league’s top scorers at that point, struggled to find rhythm. They had just two shots before halftime. The crowd grew restless. A disallowed goal in the 11th minute — Canadian winger Tajon Buchanan ruled offside after a Thomas finish — only added to the frustration. Villarreal’s keeper, Arnau Tenas, looked calm. Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel didn’t have a single save to make.
Then, in the second of three added minutes, everything changed. A corner from Aaron Anselmino found Serhou Guirassy at the far post. The Burkinabé striker rose above the defense, heading past Tenas. The stadium erupted. The goal was controversial — Villarreal claimed Nico Anton had handled the ball in the buildup. VAR confirmed: no foul. The goal stood.
The red card that broke Villarreal
Just seven minutes into the second half, the match turned into a rout. Juan Foyth, Villarreal’s Argentine defender, stretched to block a cross and clearly handled the ball on the goal line. No hesitation from the referee. Red card. VAR confirmed it. Suddenly, Villarreal were down to 10 men, and Dortmund smelled blood.
The penalty was awarded. Guirassy stepped up — but Luiz Junior, Villarreal’s Brazilian keeper, guessed right and palmed it away. For a heartbeat, hope flickered in the away end. Then, in a flash, Guirassy was there again. He pounced on the rebound, slotting home with cold precision. 2-0. The crowd’s roar drowned out the Villarreal bench’s protests.
The avalanche continues
By the 58th minute, Dortmund were playing like a team possessed. Karim Adeyemi, the German winger, cut inside from the left, jinked past two defenders, and fired a low, curling shot that slipped under Tenas. It wasn’t pretty — it was ugly, almost accidental — but it counted. 3-0.
Statistically, it was a massacre. Opta showed Dortmund had 30 shots on target. Villarreal had one. Nine of Dortmund’s second-half attempts were classified as "big chances," totaling 3.15 expected goals. They had 17 fouls to Villarreal’s 12. One yellow card to zero for the visitors. And one red card that turned the game into a training drill.
The final blow — and the missed chances
The fourth goal came in the fifth minute of stoppage time, when Daniel Svensson, the Swedish center-back, rose highest from a free kick to head home from six yards. A poetic finish — a defender sealing a rout. But the night wasn’t without irony.
Just moments before, Fábio Silva, Dortmund’s substitute striker, had a penalty of his own — awarded after a handball in the box. He stepped up. The ball struck the crossbar and bounced away. It was Dortmund’s second penalty miss of the night. Guirassy’s saved spot-kick had already been a shock. Silva’s miss was almost comical.
"We should have been 5-0," said Marco Rose, Dortmund’s head coach, in the post-match interview. "But we didn’t take our chances. That’s not the point. The point is we showed character after a sluggish start. We kept believing. That’s what winning teams do."
Why this win matters more than the scoreline
At the halfway point of the league phase, Dortmund were 14th — barely clinging to top-16 hopes. They’d scored 13 goals but conceded 11. Their form was shaky. Villarreal, meanwhile, were third in La Liga — but winless in Europe. Their 32nd-place ranking in the Champions League was a national embarrassment in Spain.
This win didn’t just lift Dortmund into the top four. It transformed their identity. They’re no longer a team that looks dangerous but can’t close. They’re now the Champions League’s most lethal attack — and they’ve done it with a mix of Guirassy’s finishing, Adeyemi’s unpredictability, and Svensson’s late surge.
It also exposed Villarreal’s fragility. Without their usual midfield control — captain Dani Parejo was barely a presence — and with their defense crumbling under pressure, they looked like a team out of their depth in the new format. This was their fifth loss in five games. No Spanish side had ever lost all five of their group-stage matches under the old system. Now, Villarreal are on track to be the first.
What’s next?
Dortmund face Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga next weekend — a huge test after this emotional win. But they’ve now scored 17 goals in five Champions League games. That’s more than Real Madrid, more than Manchester City, more than any other team in the competition. They’re not just in the top four — they’re a genuine threat to lift the trophy.
Villarreal? They travel to face FC Porto in their next match. They need a miracle. And they’ll need more than just hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Serhou Guirassy’s two goals impact Dortmund’s Champions League campaign?
Guirassy’s brace took his tournament tally to six goals in five matches, making him the joint-top scorer in the Champions League league phase. His ability to convert key chances — especially after the red card — gave Dortmund the momentum they desperately needed. Before this match, Dortmund had only scored two goals in their last two games. His performance shifted their entire narrative from "struggling" to "title contender."
Why was Villarreal so weak defensively despite being strong in La Liga?
Villarreal’s La Liga form relies on counterattacks and compact midfield play. Against Dortmund’s high press and pace, their backline was exposed. Juan Foyth’s red card was symptomatic of a deeper issue: they lacked composure under pressure. In Spain, they face slower, more tactical teams. In the Champions League, they’re outpaced and outmuscled — and their goalkeeper, Luiz Junior, was the only bright spot.
What does this result mean for Dortmund’s chances in the knockout stage?
With 17 goals and a top-four position secured, Dortmund are now favorites to finish in the top eight. Their attacking trio — Guirassy, Adeyemi, and the emerging Aaron Anselmino — are clicking. If they maintain this form, they could face giants like Real Madrid or Manchester City in the round of 16. But their defense remains a concern: they’ve conceded 11 goals already. Consistency, not just firepower, will decide their fate.
Why were there two penalty misses in the same match?
It’s rare for a team to miss two penalties in one Champions League match. Guirassy’s was saved by Luiz Junior’s instinctive dive; Silva’s was a fluke — hitting the crossbar. Both were high-pressure moments. Dortmund’s penalty-taking confidence seems shaky. Coach Rose has not named a designated taker, and the pressure may be affecting players. This is a red flag heading into tighter knockout games.
How does this match compare to Dortmund’s past performances against Spanish clubs?
This was Dortmund’s 46th match against a Spanish side in Europe — and their biggest win ever against Villarreal. Historically, they’ve struggled against Spanish teams in away games, but at home, they’ve won seven of their last eight. This 4-0 result is their largest margin of victory against a La Liga club since a 5-1 win over Sevilla in 2017. The confidence this win brings could change how they approach future European ties.
What’s the significance of Daniel Svensson scoring the fourth goal?
Svensson, a 23-year-old Swedish defender, had never scored in European competition before. His header in the 95th minute was his first goal for Dortmund in any competition. It symbolized the team’s depth — even their backups and defenders are contributing. With key attackers like Erling Haaland gone, Dortmund’s new generation — Guirassy, Adeyemi, Svensson — are proving they can carry the load. This wasn’t just a win. It was a passing of the torch.
