Christian Pulisic was the star of the show for Borussia Dortmund against Sporting Club de Portugal. - © © imago / Moritz Müller
Christian Pulisic was the star of the show for Borussia Dortmund against Sporting Club de Portugal. - © © imago / Moritz Müller

Pulisic stars as Dortmund book place in Round of 16

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Borussia Dortmund secured their safe passage to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 with victory over Sporting Club de Portugal.

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Sporting Club de Portugal

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Goals: 1-0 Ramos (12')

Deputising for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the lone striker's role, Adrian Ramos capped a flowing attacking move involving USMNT international Christian Pulisic to give Dortmund a deserved lead. Roman Bürki and Marc Bartra kept Sporting's Gelson Martins at bay, before Pulisic fired against the crossbar and BVB midfielder Raphael Guerreiro shot into the side-netting late in the half.

Dortmund were forced to defend for much of the second half, with Bürki once again needed to bat away a fierce strike from Martins. Thomas Tuchel rang the changes in a bid to defend his side's slender advantage and the steadying effect almost paid double as substitute Andre Schürrle forced a fine save out of Rui Patricio with a well-struck free-kick. BVB still had work to do defensively, but the hosts held firm on a night that saw their closest pursuers in Group F, Real Madrid CF, held to a 3-3 draw by Legia Warszawa.

Man of the match

Pulisic was unplayable at times, while his first touch to control a raking long ball in the build-up to Ramos' opening goal was a thing of real beauty. Make no mistake: the U.S. youngster is the real deal.

Talking point

Through to the Round of 16 with room to spare, Dortmund will hope to use the win as a springboard for success domestically following a run of four Bundesliga matches without a win. Die Schwarz-Gelben travel to rock-bottom Hamburger SV on Saturday.

Match stats

    Dortmund are unbeaten in this season's Champions League.Ramos scored his first goal in the competition since October 2014 and fourth overall.Tuchel's Champions League record reads three wins, one draw.

Line-ups

Dortmund: Bürki - Ginter, Sokratis (c), Bartra, Guerreiro - Weidl - Castro (Piszczek 69’), Götze (Rode 69’) - Pulisic, Dembele (Schürrle 46’) - Ramos

Coach: Thomas Tuchel

Sporting: Rui Patricio - Paulo Oliveira, Coates, Ruben Semdo - Schelotto, William Carvalho (c), Zeegelaar - Gelson Martins, Bruno Cesar (Adrien Silva 58’) - B. Ruiz - Castaignos (Dost 46’)

Coach: Jorge Jesus