UCL: Dortmund beat PSV 2-0 to hit quarterfinals
Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus were on target as Borussia Dortmund secured a nervous 2-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday and a Champions League quarter-final place for the first time in three years with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
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Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, threaded his shot through the legs of an Eindhoven player and in off the post in the third minute to score his second goal in as many games.
The winger had joined United from Dortmund in 2021 on a five-year deal, but consequently fell out of favour with manager Erik ten Hag, making just three appearances this season before returning to the Ruhr valley in January.
His form has taken an upturn in recent weeks, having also found the target in Saturday’s 2-1 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen.
Another loanee, Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen, tested PSV goalkeeper Walter Bentez in the second minute before Sancho scored the next with a precise arrowed strike. Donyell Malen almost added another for the hosts but his low shot sailed just wide of the far post in a tepid first half.
Eindhoven, who last reached the quarter-finals in 2007, improved after the break and substitute Hirving Lozano rattled the post with a hit from 25 yards.
Johan Bakayoko then glided past Mats Hummels before forcing a smart save from Gregor Kobel as Eindhoven pushed for an elusive equaliser.
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Niclas Fuellkrug thought he had settled the hosts’ nerves and put the game to bed when he volleyed in a Reus free kick, but his effort was consequently ruled offside.
Dutch pressure increased late on and Luuk de Jong could have sent the game to extra time when he was left free in front of goal, but instead of tapping home, blasted the ball carelessly over the bar in stoppage time.
The German side then struck with the very next move as Reus completed a quick break to seal victory.
The seven teams to join Dortmund in the draw for the quarter-final stage are Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona.