Borussia Dortmund hosted Malaga in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie following last week's 0-0 draw in Spain.
Malaga took the lead in the first half through Joaquin, but Dortmund levelled it with a superb team goal finished off by Robert Lewandowski.
Despite the hosts pressing forward, Malaga went back ahead through substitute Eliseu, who looked offside as he put in Julio Baptista's cross.
Just as it looked as though Malaga had done it, Dortmund scored twice in injury time through Marco Reus and Felipe Santana, who himself was offside.
Read how a dramatic night of football unfolded below.
Hello all and thanks for joining me tonight for what is a very finely poised quarter-final in the Champions League between Borussia Dortmund and Malaga.
The first leg ended 0-0, although it has to be said that the hosts that night - Malaga - did get away with it somewhat as their goal was peppered by the Germans.
Had Mario Gotze been at his prolific best that night - or even half that - then Dortmund might well have this one wrapped up already. As it happened, he was unusually poor and it means Malaga will be boosted knowing that the away goals rule is in full force for them. If they get one, then it'll be very much game on.
Before I ramble on any more, I've got the team news for you...
DORTMUND XI: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Santana, Subotic, Schmelzer; Bender, Gundogan, Blaszykowski, Gotze, Reus; Lewandowski
MALAGA XI: Willy; Jesus Gamez, Sergio Sanchez, Demichelis, Antunes; Joaquin, Toulalan, Camacho, Duda; Isco, Baptista
For Dortmund, it was thought that Mats Hummels might have been able to start tonight, but he only makes the home bench. As such, Neven Subotic and Felipe Santana start as the two centre-backs.
All-in-all it's no fewer than seven changes for Dortmund from their weekend win over Augsburg. They won but had to concede the title to Bayern Munich and Jurgen Klopp, with one eye on that fact, rung the changes. However, the big names are back tonight including Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszykowski and Marco Reus. And they will be fresh.
For Malaga, last week's hero Willy continues in goal and will probably need to make a similar amount of stops as he managed in the first leg. Javier Saviola only makes the bench but there will be a big threat from Isco, Julio Baptista and Joaquin.
Although Dortmund will go into this one as favourites and will be boosted by fresher legs, you should write off Malaga at your peril. They are a side still within a chance of finishing fourth in La Liga and have impressed in their maiden Champions League season.
Although Dortmund will go into this one as favourites and will be boosted by fresher legs, you should write off Malaga at your peril. They are a side still within a chance of finishing fourth in La Liga and have impressed in their maiden Champions League season.
As for the benches tonight, for when the managers look to freshen things up, here they are:
Dortmund: Langerak, Hummels, Kehl, Leitner, Sahin, Grosskreutz, Schieber
Malaga: Kameni, Lugano, Piazon, Eliseu, Portillo, Saviola, Santa Cruz
Dortmund: Langerak, Hummels, Kehl, Leitner, Sahin, Grosskreutz, Schieber
Malaga: Kameni, Lugano, Piazon, Eliseu, Portillo, Saviola, Santa Cruz
All the players on the Dortmund bench, bar Hummels, played in the win over Augsburg at the weekend. So you'd think they'll be able to slot in nicely tonight if needed.
For a reminder of what Malaga are capable of, here's one of my favourite goals from this year's tournament. Eliseu is only on the bench tonight though.
And here's my colleague Subhankar Mondal with the full team news for you. I'll move on to some stats and facts.
The past meetings list takes about five seconds to read. Last week's 0-0 draw was the only time the two sides have ever met in competitive competition. As such, neither side has ever scored against the other and both are unbeaten against each other. That will have to change tonight though.
Interestingly, these two sides have had the most draws than all other sides in the competition this season, except for Schalke 04 who are no longer in it. Quite how it was a goalless draw last week I don't know. At least there'll be goals tonight, even if it takes until a penalty shootout.
Marcel Schmelzer, Dortmund's left-back, is one of six ever-presents in this year's competition. He'll be sporting a quite scary looking piece of headgear tonight as he recovers from the broken nose he suffered at the boot of Martin Harnik in Dortmund's win over Stuttgart a couple of weeks ago.
Both sides have winning pedigree in this year's tournament. Dortmund are unbeaten in nine games while Malaga have lost just one of 11. Both of those include qualifiers.
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As you might expect, the pre-match interviews were largely full of Dortmund being cautious and Malaga saying that they can win. Martin Demichelis fancies extra time. For that, it'll have to end 0-0. No offence to him, but I'd rather see some goals.
"It is quite possible that this will not be over after 90 minutes," he told reporters on Monday. "It might play into our hands but there is no way we will play for 0-0; it does not correspond with our philosophy."
Dortmund's Sebastian Kehl had a message to his teammates that they cannot spurn as many chances tonight as they did last week.
He said: "We played pretty well in the first leg - we put Malaga under enormous pressure and simply should have scored a few goals.
"We were certainly lacking a bit of coolness in front of goal, we'll have to be much better in that respect on Tuesday. Then we'll leave the pitch as winners."
A look at the odds tells you that, despite Demichelis's confidence, Malaga are very much unfancied tonight. They can be found at surprisingly short odds of 10-1 in places! Worth a few quid just on the off chance, I'd say. About the best you'll get on Dortmund is 1-3.
PREDICTION: After my telling everyone to back Malaga, it's got to be Dortmund who go through today. I think they'll grab a goal in each half and win it 2-0. Even if Malaga score I think they've got enough in them to take it 2-1 or even 3-1.
The possible outcomes are quite simple really, after the 0-0 draw last week. If either side wins, they go through. Extra time will only take place in the case of a 0-0 draw, while any other draw will see Malaga through on away goals. So pretty much for Dortmund: it's a must-win.
The fantastic Signal Iduna Park is packed and it's vibrant. It's set for a wonderful night of Champions League football. Dortmund, to me mind growing up in the 90s, are one of the proper European sides. It's good to see them yellow and blacks back in it.
We're off, Malaga get us underway. A reminder that we also have Galatasaray against Real Madrid tonight and I'll keep you updated on the score there.
It has been quite an even start so far. No chances as yet, with both sides feeling the other out trying to get on the ball.
Dortmund now work a bit of possession and end up winning a throw. Piszczek takes it but it ends up being headed back to the hands of Willy in the Malaga goal. Joaquin looks to break, it's pinged across to Isco by Camacho, but he can't bring it down.
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Malaga have probably just about started the better side and are certainly looking more purposeful. Dortmund try to get themselves into the game with some passing in their own half, but it keeps breaking down as they try to come forward. Malaga are pressing high with some early success.
Ilkay Gundogan is looking Dortmund's best player in the early stages. Twice he wins the ball in midfield before Piszczek is set free, but his cross is blocked by Demichelis into the arms of Willy. He then tackles Blaszykowski - he's everywhere early on the centre-back.
BOOKING: Now Dortmund are coming into the game. Schmelzer on the left and Piszczek on the right are overlapping. They lose the ball, however, and Sven Bender goes into the book for a late tackle on Joaquin. He's a little bit harsh to be booked for that early on, in my opinion.
GOAL UPDATE: Cristiano Ronaldo has surely put the other tie beyond doubt. He's scored to put Real 4-0 up on aggregate with an away goal too. Galatasaray need five..
Piszczek tries to link up with Gundogan, but the return ball is just too hard for the Pole to pick it up. It seems early on that Dortmund will be getting most joy down that right-hand side with Piszczek and Blaszykowski back together.
Malaga haven't ventured into the hosts' half for a while now. Reus links up with Schmelzer and he tries to play in Gotze, but the attacking midfielder is caught just offside. Still yet to have a chance here.
CHANCE! There is the first chance. Lewandowski is played in by Gotze and the striker lets it run past him before trying to chip Willy from outside the box. He gets too much on it, however, and it sails over.
Dortmund are really starting to control the play now. The Malaga defence are just about managing to deal with them, but they're not making inroads in the home half any more.
A terribly overhit pass from Blaszykowski there as he looked for Piszczek on the overlap. Then Gotze picks out Blaszykowski in space to cross, but his low effort is cleared by Sanchez. They're knocking on the door, but not banging just yet.
Malaga have seen a little bit more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but both sides have become a touch wasteful in possession.
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Subotic resorts to a long ball, but Demichelis gobbles it up ahead of Lewandowski - he'll be favourite for those despite the Pole's ability in the air. Reus threads through to Lewandowski and the Argentine then shows his ability on the ground as he makes himself big so that the Dortmund man has no way past. Very good defending.
GOAL! Dortmund 0-1 Malaga (Joaquin)
Well there's the danger of not scoring away first! Isco and Baptista link up and the ball comes to Joaquin just outside the box. He dummies on his right then shoots low with his left and finds the bottom corner. The game is on!
Dortmund haven't looked as good as they did in Spain, although they have seen a lot more of the ball. Malaga's game plan would have been to soak up the pressure and hit on the break and that's exactly what they've done. Dortmund still have plenty of time to get two goals though, so they needn't get desperate just yet.
Demichelis has done his very best Franz Beckenbauer impression tonight. There has, as yet, been no way past him in the air or on the ground, and he's looking to dictate play from deep whenever possible. Blaszykowski again overhits a pass to Piszczek and they're struggling for ideas at the moment.
Gotze gets a lucky break off Gamez, then uses his strength to get in a cross. It's cleared for a corner, from which it's headed away and then four Dortmund players are offside as the defence pushes up. Pellegrini is winning the tactical battle in this half.
It's still a real struggle for the hosts to break through. At the other end Malaga win a corner, which Joaquin will take. Weidenfeller punches somewhat unconvincingly and Dortmund can clear.
The blue section in the ground are going nuts out there. It's a big following that the Spaniards have and indeed the fantastic one-tiered stand in front of which Joaquin scored is very quiet as it stands.
Gotze cuts inside and finds Reus, who has come off the other flank. Reus shoots but it was ambitious and is blocked. Reus flicks on a cross towards Lewandowski but Willy gets there first and gathers at the second attempt.
GOAL! Dortmund 1-1 Malaga (Robert Lewandowski)
Oh that is wonderful from Dortmund. Piszczek wins the ball and looks for Gotze to his right. His ball infield is flicked into the path of Lewandowski by Reus with his heel, who in turn flicks past Willy and taps into the empty net. Marvellous goal. Brilliant.
What a touch from Reus. Genius. It was going to take a moment of magic to get past Malaga in this half and it was two moments of magic, with a super touch from Lewandowski too. Now they're looking lively.
It's turned into a really excellent first half and that's been helped largely by the Malaga goal. Dortmund have had to come out to attack and that's exactly what they've done. Will they get another before the one minute of time added on?
CHANCE! A late free kick comes in to Joaquin and he puts it right down Weidenfeller's throat! That goes down as a big miss!
HALF-TIME: Dortmund 1-1 Malaga
Well that was a very entertaining half indeed after quite a slow start. Both sides looked a little nervous, but just as Dortmund were getting on top Malaga silenced the home fans with an opener. It woke Dortmund up and in one of the best team goals in the tournament this season they got level through Lewandowski. As it stands, however, Malaga are going through.
The Malaga goal was arguably the best thing that could have happened in the tie from a neutral point of view. We've seen far more from Dortmund since the goal and they now have to go and grab another if they aren't to go out on away goals.
A trip across Europe tells us that the half-time score in Turkey is still 1-0 to Real. so just the five goals needed in one half for Galatasaray then? I'm not sure stranger things have even happened.
The teams will be back out in a minute. I don't expect Klopp or Pellegrini to go to the subs just yet as both sides have been good in spells.
Dortmund kick us back off, and here comes this very well poised second half. Dortmund will want to come out strongly here.
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CHANCE! Dortmund spring a break. They get a little lucky with the ball going into the path of Lewandowski, but his low shot is gathered by Willy. Comfortably in the end.
SAVE! What a save that is by Weidenfeller! Dortmund cannot defend another free kick and the leave four Malaga players free for the second ball. It's crossed to Joaquin who heads low and Weidenfeller somehow gets an arm on it to put it over. Brilliant goalkeeping. Malaga could be 3-1 up!
Well two good chances in the first five minutes of the half make it a better start than we had to the first. Can Dortmund respond from that recent let-off to go on and win this game?
CHANCE! Gotze blows his first chance of the evening. Santana hoofs the ball from deep and Sanchez heads it directly into the path of Gotze. He's on his left foot and slices it high and wide from an angle. I think he had a bit more time there.
The Dortmund fans are whistling a few of the Malaga players. Joaquin, presumably for when he went down to get Bender booked early on, but I'm not sure why Gamez was getting stick.
Santana doesn't quite get enough on a corner when well placed in the box. Malaga clear but for now it's all the hosts.
Gamez tries to link up with Joaquin down the right, but the zip has really gone from their play. Brilliant play between Gundogan, Lewandowski and Gotze almost gets the striker a chance to shoot but Malaga clear.
BOOKING: Dortmund are attacking with pace now and Malaga are being stretched at the back a little. The Germans get another corner, from which Malaga break and Schmelzer is booked for cutting it short.
BOOKING: It's kicking off here! Schmelzer sticks a hand into GAmez's face, who takes far too long to go down and the Malaga goes into the book instead of a red for Schmelzer. If he'd seen that properly, the ref, it might well have been a second yellow or a straight red.
GOAL UPDATE: Galatasaray have their first of five back and it has come through Emmanuel Eboue. Surely too late, though.
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Manuel Pellegrini could be the first man since the 70s to take a debutant to the Champions League semi-finals. The last man? Brian Clough. Reus swings in a free kick but Demichelis again wins a header.
Dortmund have the ball in the net but it's ruled out! Gotze plays in a cross to Reus, who is offside. He heads across to Lewandowski who sticks it in, but the flag is rightly up.
SAVE! What a strike from Jeremy Toulalan! Duda is found in the box and he cuts back to Toulalan 30 yards out and his shot is struck with venom but Weidenfeller beats it away. It was down his throat - had it been either side it's a goal.
DORTMUND DOUBLE SUB: Schieber comes on for Blaszykowski and Nuri Sahin replaces Bender. That last sub shows Klopp's attacking intent.
MALAGA SUB: Eliseu is coming on for Duda, who has worked hard in the middle tonight.
SAVE! What a save this time from Willy! Oh my word. Reus gets an inch of space and is found with a low cross but Willy somehow turns it round the post! Incredible.
As it stands, Malaga are still going through. I suspect Willy will have to make some more saves.
SAVE! And there is another one! This time it's from Gotze and he is kept out at point blank range! If Malaga go through they have Willy to thank.
Ten minutes for Malaga to hang on. Can they do it?
GOAL! Dortmund 1-2 Malaga (Eliseu)
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They don't need to hang on! Isco plays in Baptista who cuts across to Eliseu, and he taps into the empty net. There are huge suspicions of offside there and I think he was. Dortmund can feel hard done by but Malaga have been brilliant.
GOAL UPDATE! In the other game Gala are now 3-1 up. Surely they can't, can they??
Mats Hummels comes on for Gundogan in an interesting change, while Roque Santa Cruz came on for Malaga in place of Baptista after the goal. As Reus curls a free kick over the bar.
MALAGA SUB: Francisco Portillo now comes on in place of the excellent Joaquin.
It's now long ball stuff for Dortmund, but I think that's it. Two goals now look very unlikely.
There will be four minutes of injury time. Two goals are needed from Dortmund or Malaga are through. I fancy the latter option...
GOAL! Dortmund 2-2 Malaga (Marco Reus)
I might have spoken too soon. Subotic of all people breaks the offside trap. His cutback is blocked but only as far as Reus who puts it into the empty net! Wow.
GOAL! Dortmund 3-2 Malaga (Santana)
Oh. My. Word. Football just never fails to amaze! There looked to be men offside as the ball comes in and Santana taps in on the line at the second attempt! He was behind the keeper so it really should have been ruled out but suddenly Dortmund are heading through.
FULL-TIME! Dortmund 3-2 Malaga (Dortmund win 3-2 on aggregate)
I'm out of breath. What an unbelievable end to the game. It had Manchester United 1999 written all over it as two injury-time goals send the Germans through. Staggering.
Unfortunately that's the end of the game and all I've got time for. Stick around for analysis from this and the other quarter-final and all the reaction. There's sure to be loads. Until next time.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
