Signal Iduna Park erupted in the familiar yellow roar as Borussia Dortmund delivered the kind of Champions League statement their supporters have craved this season, demolishing ten-man Villarreal 4-0 to climb back into the thick of the knockout race.
The first half had threatened to drift into frustration. Dortmund huffed and puffed yet found no way past a stubborn visiting defence until stoppage time, when Aaron Anselmino met Andreas Svensson’s corner with a clever flick and Serhou Guirassy prodded home from point-blank range. It was the spark the night needed.
Any lingering tension evaporated six minutes after the restart. Juan Foyth, already walking a tightrope, instinctively handled Karim Adeyemi’s goal-bound effort on the line. Red card, penalty, and Guirassy calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second.
Four minutes later the scoreline took on a comical tint. Lukas Nmecha and Julian Brandt combined slickly before Thomas Partey, under no great pressure, thumped a clearance straight against the lurking Adeyemi. The ball looped high, deceived the stranded Junior in the Villarreal goal and dropped apologetically into the net off the post. Adeyemi barely celebrated such was the absurdity of his good fortune.
Substitute Fabio Silva passed up the chance to make it five from the spot in the 82nd minute, clanging the crossbar, but Dortmund would not be denied a fourth. Deep into added time Pascal Gross swung over a perfect cross and Svensson buried a thundering header beyond the helpless Junior.
The result ends a two-match winless run in Europe for Nuri Şahin’s side and sends out a clear message: when the intensity clicks, this Dortmund remain capable of dismantling anyone. For Villarreal, reduced to ten men early in the second half and architects of their own downfall, it was a night to forget in the Ruhr.
