Atalanta dump Dortmund, storm into Champions League last 16

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Atalanta produced a breathtaking turnaround to defeat Borussia Dortmund 4–1 and progress 4–3 on aggregate, overturning a 2–0 first-leg deficit in a pulsating second-leg clash.

The Italian side set the tone early when Gianluca Scamacca reacted quickest inside the box to fire home in the fifth minute.

Davide Zappacosta doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time, his strike taking a deflection beyond Gregor Kobel to ignite belief among the home supporters.

The momentum continued after the restart. Mario Pašalić rose highest to head in Atalanta’s third in the 57th minute, putting the tie level on aggregate and leaving Dortmund rattled.

Karim Adeyemi briefly revived Dortmund’s hopes with a clinical finish in the 75th minute, reducing the score to 3–1 on the night. But late drama tilted decisively in Atalanta’s favour.

Following a VAR review deep into stoppage time, the referee awarded a penalty to Atalanta. Lazar Samardžić stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick into the top corner to seal the contest.

Dortmund’s frustrations boiled over as Ramy Bensebaini was sent off for a second booking, while Nico Schlotterbeck also received a red card for unsporting conduct off the pitch.

In a night of high tension and fine margins, Atalanta’s resilience and attacking intent proved decisive, completing a comeback that will be remembered as one of their most dramatic European triumphs.