Dortmund stages thrilling comeback to edge Heidenheim, narrows Bayern gap

In a pulsating Bundesliga encounter, Borussia Dortmund showcased their resilience by overturning a deficit to secure a 3-2 victory over Heidenheim, marking their fourth consecutive league win and closing the gap on table-toppers Bayern Munich to just six points.

The match at Signal Iduna Park unfolded with high drama from the outset. 

Heidenheim believed they had taken an early lead when captain Patrick Mainka forced the ball over the line following a spill by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. 

However, VAR intervened, disallowing the goal due to a foul on Kobel, keeping the scores level.

Undeterred, Dortmund broke the deadlock in the 44th minute. A corner delivery caused chaos in the Heidenheim box, with goalkeeper Diant Ramaj fumbling the ball.

Defender Waldemar Anton capitalized ruthlessly, volleying home from point-blank range to give the hosts a deserved halftime advantage.

But Heidenheim refused to fade. In the fifth minute of first-half added time, Julian Niehues pounced on a blocked acrobatic effort, stabbing the ball into the net to equalize. 

The momentum swung dramatically just three minutes into the second half when Niehues unleashed a thunderous long-range strike, leaving Kobel rooted and putting the visitors ahead 2-1.

Niko Kovac’s Dortmund side, however, mounted a spirited fightback. The turning point arrived in the 68th minute when Niklas Dorsch was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. 

Serhou Guirassy stepped up confidently, slotting the spot-kick past Ramaj to restore parity.

Barely 90 seconds later, Guirassy struck again, finishing clinically from a narrow angle on the right during a swift counter-attack, handing Dortmund a 3-2 lead.

The Guinean forward had a golden opportunity to complete a hat-trick late on when Tim Siersleben fouled him in the box, earning another penalty. Yet, in a moment of misfortune, Guirassy skied his effort high over the bar and into the crowd.

This hard-fought win not only boosts Dortmund’s title aspirations but also highlights their growing momentum under Kovac. 

With Bayern Munich facing mounting pressure, the Bundesliga race is heating up. Heidenheim, despite the defeat, demonstrated their fighting spirit, proving they are no pushovers in the top flight. As the season progresses, 

Dortmund’s attacking prowess, led by the prolific Guirassy, could be key in challenging for the crown.