Borussia Dortmund's hopes of winning the Bundesliga football title collapsed - for the first time in 11 years - after the dream turned into a nightmare on Saturday and drew 2-2 with Mainz to fall to second place on goal difference in the last round and dedicate the title to rivals Bayern Munich.
With tens of thousands of Dortmund fans in black and yellow inside and outside the 81,2012-capacity Senegal Iduna Park stadium, the club had hoped to win for the first time since <> as they entered the game at the top.
Dortmund had 1 job! 1 ! pic.twitter.com/KfqOuhFxLe
— Stage (@staj_) May 27, 2023
Dortmund ordered more than 120,15 litres of beer, according to club officials, but in the end fans could not celebrate, as Mainz snatched the lead with a header from Andreas Hansche-Olsen in the <>th minute.
🔥🔥 The excitement continues until the last moment
🤯 Haller misses Dortmund's penalty and Bayern remains in the lead #Bundesliga | #Dortmund_Mainz #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/em7uFrHSkm
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 27, 2023
Dortmund striker Sebastian Allier had a golden opportunity to equalise and reduce the pressure after just 4 minutes, but he missed the penalty with a weak shot.
Heartbreak for Dortmund. 💔 pic.twitter.com/E4iDDJmNpU
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 27, 2023
Things got worse when Mainz added the second goal in the 24th minute through Karim Onisio, causing the silence of the fans in the stadium.
The goal of reducing the difference and the return of spirit to Borussia Dortmund #Bundesliga | #دورتموند_ماينتس
#Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/jcO2bp2b7s
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 27, 2023
Dortmund did not mount a comeback in the second half, although coach Eden Terzic brought on captain Marco Reuss and striker Karim Adimi.
Mainz, who played without pressure, defended with all strength and manhood, but Dortmund reduced the deficit with Rafael Guerrero's shot in the 69th minute.
Defender Niklas Zühle equalized for Dortmund in stoppage time, but it was not enough time to snatch the victory, turning the stadium into an arena of sadness and frustration.