Ice-cool Can penalty gives Dortmund nail-biting victory over St. Pauli

Borussia Dortmund took on an FC St. Pauli side struggling of goal on the road this season. That pattern ultimately continued, albeit Niko Kovač's side had to work incredibly hard to snatch a 3-2 victory late into stoppage time. 

BVB started to threaten first around the 13th-minute when Julian Ryerson's cross, punched away by Nikola Vasilj, causes havoc. Brandt drove the rebound through a crowded box but Hauke Wahl cleared it off the line. 

St. Pauli thought they earned themselves a penalty, however VAR spared Fabio Silva who evidently didn't handball in his box. Blessin's side had a big chance of their own as Gregor Kobel denied Pereira-Lage from close range. 

BVB's finest opportunity in the opening half-hour came from a set-piece. James Sands conceded the freekick on the edge of his box which Brandt stood over. His effort beat the wall but sailed past the left upright.

Eventually, the breakthrough arrived as Niko Kovač's side gained a 1-0 half-time cushion. Karim Adeyemi fizzed a low cross in from the right which evaded Fabio Silva, however Brandt was on hand to tap into an empty net.

The Westphalians required all of 10 minutes in the second-half to gain a 2-0 advantage. A break right through the heart of the St. Pauli rearguard saw Brandt release Silva who unselfishly squared for Adeyemi to convert.

Despite being out of the game, St. Pauli would half the deficit with 28 minutes remaining. An Eric Smith corner picked out James Sands in the box who said out-jumped Emre Can to power his header inside the left post. 

Kovač turned to his bench for the final act as Couto, Beier and Guirassy entered. However the Kiezkickers has an equaliser up their sleeve. Smith's set-piece found substitute Ricky-Jade Jones, netting a spectacular volley.

The English forward had a further chance to score but Kobel denied him with his legs. However, BVB's blushes were spared late on as Jones quicky became the pantomime villain, giving away a late penalty. 

VAR spotted his clash with Maxi Beier taking place inside the box resulting in a penalty. Up stepped Emre Can to plunge the resulting spot-kick into the lower-right corner as ice coursed through his veins.