Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus scored goals as Borussia Dortmund secured a tense 2-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The outcome signified that the German clubside secured a Champions League last-eight place for the first time in three years, clinching a 3-1 aggregate victory. Sancho, who is on loan from Manchester United, skillfully threaded his shot through the legs of an Eindhoven player and into the net off the post in the third minute.
Reus sealed the victory with a composed finish in second-half stoppage time. Sancho’s goal marked his second in as many matches since returning to Dortmund in January on loan from United, following a falling out with coach Erik ten Hag. He initially joined Manchester United from Dortmund for 85 million euros (93 million dollars) in 2021 on a five-year deal.
Sancho struggled to secure a consistent spot and had only made three appearances this season before his return to the Ruhr valley in January. He continued his good form by scoring in Saturday’s 2-1 league victory over Werder Bremen.
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Donyell Malen came close to adding another goal for the hosts shortly after, but his low shot narrowly missed the far post.
“We truly earned our place in the quarter-finals today through hard work. We played some of our best football in the opening 30 minutes.”
“We should have capitalized more on our pressing in the first half. Unfortunately, we didn’t maintain that intensity in the second half but showed great determination in defense,” commented Dortmund coach Edin Terzic.
Eindhoven, who last made it to the quarter-finals in 2007, improved after halftime, and substitute Hirving Lozano came close to scoring with a powerful shot from 25 meters that hit the post. Johan Bakayoko also threatened Dortmund’s defense, dribbling past Mats Hummels and forcing a good save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the 70th minute as Eindhoven continued to push for an equalizer.
Niclas Fuellkrug thought he had calmed the hosts’ nerves and secured the victory.
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