Dortmund ride early momentum to big win at Sevilla, Lopetegui sacked

SEVILLE, Spain: Borussia Dortmund struck three times in the first half to beat hosts Sevilla 4-1 in Champions League Group G on Wednesday (Oct 5) and stay firmly on course for a top-two finish as their opponents sacked coach Julen Lopetegui.

Raphael Guerreiro put the Germans in front with a powerful strike from 16 metres from a Jude Bellingham cross and the 19-year-old turned scorer, angling a shot into the far corner after a superb run into the box, to become the youngest captain to score in a Champions League match.

The England international is also the first teenage midfielder to score in three consecutive Champions League games.

Karim Adeyemi made it 3-0 on the rebound two minutes from halftime and Sevilla's Youssef En-Nesyri cut the deficit six minutes after the restart before Julian Brandt's glancing header in the 75th made sure of the three points.

Dortmund, who host Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday, are second in the group on six points, three behind leaders Manchester City.

Copenhagen and Sevilla, who announced the departure of coach Julen Lopetegui minutes after the game, are on one point. The coach had been in charge since 2019.

"That was definitely the reaction we wanted to show. I think the difference between today and the other day [against Cologne] is that we did our work early," Bellingham said.

"Three goals in the first half allows you to be a bit more comfortable in the second. I think that's a lesson for us going forward."

"For a start, the defenders and (keeper) Alex (Meyer) were absolutely brilliant tonight. I got this Player of the Match award for the goal and the assist, but I think those guys at the back were a different level."

Sevilla, struggling in 17th place in La Liga, missed several early