Malen on target as Dortmund win without Haaland
Donyell Malen's first Borussia Dortmund goal put 'Die Schwarzgelben' past Sporting CP in the Champions League.
| Donyell Malen. | Photo: Borussia Dortmund |
Haaland, who has found the net 11 times in eight games this season, missed his second game in a row due to muscular problems, but BVB captain Marco Reus was back after shaking off a knee injury.
Malen had the ball in the net for the first time in the 35th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Two minutes later, Malen finally scored his first goal for Dortmund in his 10th appearance for the club, poking the ball past Antonio Adan after he was played in behind by Jude Bellingham in the 37th minute.
Both Reus and Malen found the net in the second half, but the home side were denied by the offside flag on both occasions.
Sporting CP, meanwhile, never really managed to threaten, and Dortmund held on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle.
The result means BVB sit second in Group C with six points, behind group leaders Ajax, who have a better goal difference.