Borussia Dortmund fulfilled their duty. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Against Cologne: BVB wins with a man advantage

Borussia Dortmund increased the pressure on FC coach Lukas Kwasniok with a mandatory win against the decimated 1. FC Köln.

March 07, 2026

From: dpa

Borussia Dortmund defeated a Cologne side that played with ten men for half the match 2-1 (1-0). Serhou Guirassy (16th minute) and Maximilian Beier (60th minute) scored the goals for the second-placed Bundesliga team against the relegation-threatened newcomers. Jamai Simpson-Pusey was shown a red card for a reckless foul in first-half stoppage time (45+2). Cologne battled hard and managed to pull one back through Jakub Kaminski (88th minute).

With the victory, Dortmund maintained their six-point lead over third-placed Hoffenheim. For Cologne, however, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious after their fifth consecutive match without a win. Their two-point cushion above the relegation zone could be completely wiped out on Sunday. Points are crucial in their upcoming matches against Hamburger SV and in the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach, both direct rivals – likely also to save Kwasniok's job.

The Cologne coach needs to come up with something. © ANSA / CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

After the recent 0-2 disappointment against FC Augsburg, the Cologne bosses had indeed given the coach their full support. Nevertheless, in the days leading up to the match against Borussia Dortmund, there were reports of an alleged ultimatum, which Kwasniok denied. However, the 44-year-old was also aware that FC Cologne desperately needed a win.

The commitment in Cologne was right

Indeed, his team started aggressively and, at least initially, had more possession than the second-placed team, who seemed to lack the tension following their 2-3 defeat in the top-of-the-table clash against Bayern Munich and the likely loss of their title hopes. Dortmund certainly seemed to be struggling through the match rather than enjoying themselves. Cologne dictated the play, but Dortmund took the lead.

Guirassy scored the opening goal. © ANSA / CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

It was former FC striker Guirassy who exploited the collective lapse in concentration of the Cologne defense. After a corner, Maximilian Beier sent the ball looping back into the Cologne penalty area, where Guirassy reacted quickly and slotted the ball past FC goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe with the sole of his foot. It was the striker's twelfth goal of the season and already his seventh in the second half of the campaign.

Due to the fasting month of Ramadan, Dortmund's head coach Niko Kovac had left the Muslim players Guirassy and Ramy Bensebaini out of the starting lineup against Bayern Munich. However, both were allowed to start again in Cologne.

Simpson-Pusey's nasty tackle results in a red card.

After taking the lead, the Westphalians gradually took control of the game, without ever truly shining. Cologne shot themselves in the foot in first-half stoppage time. Winter signing Simpson-Pusey tackled Beier roughly from behind, catching him in the Achilles tendon with no chance of getting the ball. Referee Daniel Siebert, after reviewing the video footage, overturned the yellow card decision, much to the dismay of the Cologne fans, and showed a red card.

Beier scored to make it 2-0. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Despite being down to ten men, the Rhinelanders fought hard to avoid defeat, but lacked bite. Dortmund did only what was necessary to secure the victory. After an hour, Beier played a one-two with Julian Brandt and scored to make it 2-0. Kaminski's goal to pull one back made the final minutes exciting.

The results

Freiburg – Bayer Leverkusen 3:3
Goals: 1-0 Grifo (34'), 1-1 Kofane (37'), 2-1 Suzuki (43'), 2-2 Grimaldo (45+3'), 2-3 Terrier (52'), 3-3 Ginter (86')

Heidenheim – Hoffenheim 2:4
Goals: 0:1 Prass (26th), 0:2 Prass (45+1st), 0:3 Asllani (49th), 1:3 Kerber (63rd), 1:4 Lemperle (78th), 2:4 Kerber (84th)

Mainz – Stuttgart 2:2
Goals: 1:0 Lee (39th), 1:1 Demirovic (76th), 1:2 Undav (77th), 2:2 Da Costa (90+1st)

RB Leipzig – Augsburg 2:1
Goals: 0:1 Fellhauer (39th), 1:1 Diomande (76th), 2:1 Arthur Chaves (90+2nd)

Wolfsburg – Hamburger SV 1:2
Goals: 1:0 Eriksen (22nd), 1:1 Vuskovic (33rd), 1:2 Dompe (58th)

FC Köln – Dortmund 1:2
Goals: 0:1 Guirassy (16th), 0:2 Beier (60th), 1:2 Kaminski (88th)