Felix Nmecha brace keeps Borussia Dortmund level with Bayern München

Felix Nmecha scored twice as Borussia Dortmund beat SV Elversberg 2-1, and the win kept them level on points with Bayern München after nine matches. He struck in the 55th minute and again in the 71st, turning a scoreless first half into a result Dortmund needed to stay second in the Bundesliga.

Nmecha's influence in Dortmund's title push

The size of the contribution is the point here. Nmecha has 4 Bundesliga goals this season, so this brace accounts for half of his league tally and gives Dortmund another attacking source at a time when the margin at the top is narrow. Their 18 points from 8 league games leave them in the chase, not drifting behind it.

SPORT1's match report summed up the mood after the final whistle: "Led by double goalscorer Felix Nmecha, Borussia Dortmund are not letting up in the title race and remain on the heels of leaders Bayern München."

Guirassy's absence and Elversberg's response

Dortmund also had to do it without Serhou Guirassy, who was missing because of a thigh injury. Fábio Silva replaced him and missed several chances before the break, which explains why the match stayed goalless so long before Nmecha took control.

SV Elversberg were not passive. Lukas Petkov tested Gregor Kobel early, and Noel Futkeu later reduced the deficit with an overhead kick in the 81st minute. Even so, Dortmund held on, and this was the kind of narrow win they need if they are going to keep pace with Bayern deep into the season.