Berlin, November 27 (US): He’s back. Erling Haaland scored a goal on his return from injury to take Borussia Dortmund to the top of the German Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg on Saturday.
The Associated Press said that the defending champion Bayern Munich could regain its previous lead by one point by defeating Armenia Bielefeld in the late match, a week before Dortmund hosts Bayern in one of the most awaited matches in the league this season.
Haaland has not played in the Bundesliga since October 16 when he scored two goals in a win over Mainz. He played three days later in Dortmund’s loss to Ajax in the Champions League, then withdrew due to muscle problems.
Coach Marco Rose delighted Dortmund fans on Friday when he said Haaland could return sooner than originally thought, and followed that up by bringing in the Norway striker in the 72nd minute at Wolfsburg.
Haaland made a quick save from Wolfsburg goalkeeper Pavao Pervan, then scored in the 81st minute with an acrobatic shot from Julian Brandt’s cross.
It was Haaland’s 50th goal in his 50th Bundesliga appearance.
Dortmund were left without influential midfielder Judd Bellingham with a knee injury, but the guests did well after scoring a surprising early goal.
Wout Weghorst hit in the second minute when he sent his chest to Riddle Baku’s cross.
It was Wolfsburg’s first goal against Dortmund in 10 league games since Daniel Didavi scored in a 5-1 loss in 2016.
Dortmund equalized with a penalty kick from Emre Can in the 35th minute.
The penalty kick was awarded for a clumsy challenge on Marco Reus by Maxence Lacroix, who was booked.
The Dortmund captain needed treatment on his right ankle but he can continue.
Reus managed to make Donyell Malen’s goal for the second time in the Bundesliga in the same number of games in the 55th minute.
The Dutch striker made way for Haaland to make his seventh Bundesliga appearance this season.
He celebrated his tenth goal.
insult