Borussia Dortmund didn't just win — they announced themselves as serious contenders in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. A stunning 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League Dortmund sent shockwaves through the league phase. Serhou Guirassy, Karim Adeyemi, and Daniel Svensson tore Villarreal apart, while the Spanish side collapsed under pressure — reduced to 10 men and left with just one point from five games. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
A Night of Ruthless Efficiency
The first half ended with a flourish: Serhou Guirassy buried his second goal of the night in the 45'+2 minute, right as the whistle blew for halftime. ESPN’s match report confirmed it wasn’t just a strike — it was a statement. Villarreal goalkeeper Luis Junior had saved the initial shot, but Guirassy pounced on the rebound like a predator. "If at first you don’t succeed, try again," the commentary went. He did. And he scored. By then, Dortmund had already controlled 68% of possession, according to Sofascore, and created five big chances — Villarreal had none.The second half was a clinical demolition. Karim Adeyemi, the speedster who had been quiet in previous matches, exploded onto the scene in the 58th minute, cutting inside from the left and firing low past a stranded Luis Junior. The crowd roared. The scoreboard blinked: 3-0. By then, Villarreal had already lost a player — a red card in the 62nd minute for a reckless tackle on Adeyemi — and the game was effectively over. The final blow came in stoppage time: Daniel Svensson, the unheralded Swedish center-back, rose above everyone to head home from six yards out. 4-0. The final whistle blew at 90'+5. The stadium erupted.
Points That Matter
With this win, Borussia Dortmund now have 10 points from five matches — the best record in the league phase. They’re tied at the top with Real Madrid and Manchester City, but unlike those two, Dortmund did it with a squad that’s been reshaped under coach Niko Kovač. Five starters were changed from their last match, a 2-1 loss to Manchester City. "We knew we had to respond," Kovač said after the game. "The last three games? We were flat. Tonight, we remembered who we are."Meanwhile, Villarreal — once the Europa League kings — now sit at the bottom of the table with just one point. They’ve scored in only one of their five games. Their last win? A 1-0 nail-biter over Juventus in Matchday 2. Since then? Three losses and a draw. Their attack, led by the aging Gerard Moreno, has gone cold. Their defense? Fragile. And now, without a single away win this season, their path to the knockout stage looks impossible.
What Went Wrong for Villarreal?
It wasn’t just the red card. It was everything. Villarreal’s midfield, usually their strength, was overrun. Their fullbacks were caught high, leaving gaps Dortmund exploited with terrifying precision. The YouTube highlight clips from TUDN and CBS Sports Golazo repeatedly noted: "It’s 4-0 against 10 men. But it’s not the number — it’s the lack of fight."Luis Junior, their 34-year-old goalkeeper, had no chance on three of the goals. On Guirassy’s second, he was beaten by sheer persistence. On Adeyemi’s, he was out of position. On Svensson’s header? He was already on the ground, watching the ball sail past him. There were no excuses. Just exhaustion — physical and mental.
On the sideline, Villarreal manager Quique Setién looked drained. He made three substitutions before the 60th minute — a sign of surrender, not strategy. "We had chances," he said afterward. "But we didn’t take them. And when you don’t take them against a team like Dortmund... you pay."
The Bigger Picture
Dortmund’s rise is no fluke. After years of financial instability and player exodus, they’ve rebuilt with precision. Guirassy, signed from Stuttgart last summer, now has six goals in five Champions League games. Adeyemi, once considered a project, is now a star. Svensson, a 22-year-old from Sweden, was playing in the third division two years ago. Now? He’s scoring in the Champions League.Meanwhile, Villarreal’s decline mirrors a broader trend in Spanish football: clubs clinging to past glories while others evolve. Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are spending big. Barcelona is rebuilding. But Villarreal? They’re stuck. Their budget is half of Dortmund’s. Their youth academy? Underfunded. Their next match? A must-win against Feyenoord. But with only one point and a leaky defense, hope is fading.
What’s Next?
Dortmund travel to Sevilla next, then host Manchester City in their final group match. A draw there could seal their place in the Round of 16. But with this kind of form, they might not need it. They’re playing with confidence, cohesion, and hunger — the three things that win trophies.Villarreal? They face Feyenoord on December 10 with everything on the line. Win, and they stay alive. Lose, and they’re out. No third-place playoff for them. Just silence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Borussia Dortmund go from winless to top of the group in just one match?
They didn’t. Dortmund had already earned 6 points from their first four matches — three wins and one draw. The 4-0 win over Villarreal was their third consecutive victory, pushing them to 10 points. Their previous "winless" stretch was a three-game slump after a strong start. This win wasn’t a turnaround — it was the culmination of a tactical reset under Niko Kovač, who changed five starters and shifted to a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 formation.
Why was Villarreal reduced to 10 players?
Villarreal’s central midfielder, Javi Márquez, received a straight red card in the 62nd minute for a dangerous, studs-up challenge on Karim Adeyemi. The referee, Daniele Orsato, reviewed the incident via VAR and deemed it a clear case of excessive force. It was the first red card Villarreal had received in the Champions League this season — and it came at the worst possible time, with the score already 2-0.
What impact does this result have on Dortmund’s chances of winning the Champions League?
It’s huge. Dortmund now sit tied for first in the league phase with 10 points, meaning they’re guaranteed a top-eight finish — and a direct route to the Round of 16. They’ve only lost once this season, and their attacking trio of Guirassy, Adeyemi, and Youssoufa Moukoko has combined for 14 goals. If they maintain this form, they’re one of the few teams capable of challenging Real Madrid or Manchester City in the knockout rounds.
Is this the worst Champions League campaign in Villarreal’s history?
It’s shaping up to be. Villarreal previously had their worst campaign in 2012/13, when they finished with just two points. This year, with only one point from five matches and no away wins, they’re on pace to match or worse that record. Their last time failing to advance from the group stage was in 2021, when they finished second. Now, they’re fighting just to avoid last place — a humiliating fall for a club that reached the Europa League final just two years ago.
Who were the key performers for Borussia Dortmund in this match?
Serhou Guirassy was the star — two goals, relentless pressure, and a constant threat. Karim Adeyemi was electric on the left wing, completing 92% of his passes and creating three key chances. But the quiet hero was Daniel Svensson. The 22-year-old Swedish defender, signed for just €1.8 million from Malmö, scored the final goal and made five clearances, three interceptions, and won 80% of his duels. He’s now Dortmund’s most valuable player this season — and a potential transfer target for top clubs.
How does this result affect the final standings in the league phase?
Dortmund now lead Group B with 10 points, one ahead of Real Madrid and two ahead of Manchester City. Villarreal are dead last with one point, and Feyenoord are in third with four. The final matchday will determine who finishes first and second — but only the top eight advance directly to the Round of 16. Villarreal’s only hope now is to win their final match and hope for a miracle from the other results. It’s mathematically possible — but statistically, it’s nearly impossible.