Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund met at the Preszero Arena on 5 September 2026, and the visitors took all three points in a 3-2 victory that leaves them two places above the hosts in the Bundesliga table. The match was part of the second round of the regular season, and what looked like a comfortable evening for the home side turned into a lesson in efficiency.
First half goals came in quick succession before the break. Leon Avdullahu cancelled out any early nerves for Hoffenheim with a 45th-minute strike, but Felix Nmecha was brought on for Dortmund at the interval, and the change seemed to galvanise the away side. By then, the visitors were already showing that they would not go away quietly.
The second half opened with Tim Lemperle restoring Hoffenheim's lead at the 54th minute, but Serhou Guirassy responded within seven minutes to level matters. Fábio Silva then got in behind the Hoffenheim defence to put Dortmund ahead at 66 minutes, and the momentum had shifted decisively. Hoffenheim pushed for an equaliser but could not find the breakthrough.
The decisive moment arrived in the 86th minute when Albian Hajdari gifted the goal with an own goal, confirming the 3-2 scoreline. Earlier in the match, Hoffenheim had controlled proceedings with 60% possession and created four big chances, but they paid for a sloppy opening. Dortmund, by contrast, were clinical when it mattered, converting their opportunities despite having less of the ball.
Statistically, the match told the story of two different approaches. Hoffenheim registered 13 shots to Dortmund's five, with expected goals of 1.76 against 2.04 for the visitors. The hosts won more aerial duels and completed 498 passes, but Dortmund's goalkeeper made four saves to Hoffenheim's two, and the away side converted their chances with greater precision.
The result leaves Hoffenheim rooted at the bottom of the table with zero points from two defeats, while Dortmund sit second with six points from two victories. The visitors extended their winning run and demonstrated that they are in control of the tie for this season's early stages. Hoffenheim will need to review their defensive organisation if they hope to climb away from the foot of the table.