ISTANBUL: Erling Haaland scored again to help Borussia Dortmund to a 2-1 win at Turkish champion Beşiktaş in their Champions League opening game on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old Jude Bellingham was outstanding as he scored the opener and set up Haaland for the Norwegian’s ninth goal in six games across all competitions this season. Haaland scored 10 in eight Champions League games for Dortmund last season.
Beşiktaş made the much better start, roared on by vocal supporters, while the visitors seemed to struggle with the soft playing surface.
Former Dortmund forward Michy Batshuayi almost scored in the sixth minute when he drew a good save from Gregor Kobel.
It took 17 minutes before the visitors first showed a threatening sign, but the move between Marco Reus, Julian Brandt and Haaland lacked precision and broke down.
Bellingham scored three minutes later when he took Thomas Meunier’s cross on his chest before firing the ball through goalkeeper Ersin Destanoğlu’s legs.
From then on it was all Dortmund, though the visitors had to wait before Bellingham set up Haaland for the second just before the break. The England midfielder moved past a defender by switching the ball from his right foot to his left before he picked out Haaland for an easy finish.
Destanoğlu stopped a central shot from Bellingham early in the second half, before Kobel did well to deny Batshuayi again at the other end.
Dortmund coach Marco Rose made three substitutions at once with 20 minutes remaining, with Bellingham among those to go off, before Destanoğlu saved another good chance from Haaland.
Ansgar Knauff came on for Haaland with five minutes of normal time remaining and grazed the crossbar in injury time.
Francisco Montero scored Beşiktaş’ consolation goal in the fourth minute of injury time with a header off Miralem Pjanic’s free kick.
Haaland scores as Dortmund beats Beşiktaş 2-1 away in opener
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Haaland scores as Dortmund beats Beşiktaş 2-1 away in opener
- Jude Bellingham was outstanding as he scored the opener and set up Haaland for the Norwegian’s 9th goal in 6 games across all competitions
- Haaland scored 10 in eight Champions League games for Dortmund last season
Wissa back for DR Congo’s World Cup playoff
- The Congolese were eliminated in the round of 16 at the tournament in Morocco
- They now have a chance to become the 10th African country at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US starting in June
BRAZZAVILLE: Democratic Republic of Congo striker Yoane Wissa has returned to the squad for their World Cup playoff this month after missing the Africa Cup of Nations finals at the turn of the year.
The Newcastle United forward suffered a knee injury playing for his country against Senegal in a World Cup qualifier in early September, only returning to action in December, and was not chosen for the Cup of Nations in December and January.
The Congolese were eliminated in the round of 16 at the tournament in Morocco.
They now have a chance to become the 10th African country at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US starting in June.
They are competing in the inter-confederation playoff in Guadalajara, Mexico on March 31 against either Jamaica or New Caledonia, who meet five days earlier.
The winners of the March 31 game qualify for the World Cup and will be in Group K with Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre named 26 players for the playoff with defender Dylan Batubinsika of Greek side AEL and Watford right back Jeremy Ngakia returning.
Elche’s former England under-21 midfielder Grady Diangana, who missed the Cup of Nations finals, is also included.
