Dortmund Throw Away Two-Goal Lead As Juventus Secure Historic 4-4 Draw

Karim Adeyemi looks on disappointed after Juventus came from behind to secure a 4-4 draw against Dortmund. (Photo by Hendrik Deckers/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images

It was a mad result at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juventus managed to come from behind to rescue a 4-4 draw against visiting Borussia Dortmund thanks to a late equalizer by Lloyd Kelly (90+6’). The goal meant that Juve had overcome a two-goal deficit in extra time with Dušan Vlahović completing a brace to make it 4-3 (90 + 3’).

That goal meant that only for the second time in Champions League history, there would be eight goals in one half. The only other time it happened was last year when Bayern Munich smashed Dinamo Zagreb 9-2.

In fact, nothing indicated that Juventus and Dortmund would battle each other to an eight goal draw on Tuesday night after the first 45 minutes were concluded. Both teams sat deep, defended well and allowed no goal chances.

All that ended when Karim Adeyemi opened the scoring eight minutes into the first half. From that moment onwards the game became a frantic back and forth. First, Kenan Yildiz (63’) equalized, only for Felix Nmecha to score one minute late. Vlahović then scored his first (68’) but Yann Couto (74’) and Ramy Bensebaini (86’ pen.) seemed to have wrapped it up for Dortmund.

“When you ‘lose’ the game in the last two or three minutes like that, so to speak, you feel emotionally devastated,” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said after the game. Nevertheless, we’ll still wake up tomorrow and will still have earned a point against Juventus.”

Although Dortmund would have certainly been happy with a draw going into the match, based on the 90 minutes, it does feel like a defeat. Somehow, Dortmund was never able to gain control over the game, even though the Black and Yellows were the better side.

“The second half was much more open,” Nmecha said to UEFA.com after the game. “Both teams were willing to take risks, which resulted in goals. We gave our all and came close to winning but unfortunately it slipped away from us at the very end. While I’m not happy about conceding two goals in added time, leaving Turin with a point is still a positive result for us.”

In fact, the Juvenuts bosses weren’t happy with the result either. “We certainly have a lot to review,” Juventus head coach Igor Tudor said to UEFA.com. “Conceding four goals makes it clear that something didn’t work. Some issues have emerged, and we will work even harder to resolve them. We played against a very strong team so, given how things went, this is definitely a good result.”

Indeed, it is the second time within just a few days that Juventus has been part of a high scoring affair. On Saturday, Juve needed a last minute winner to beat Inter Milan 4-3 in the Deby D’Italia.

Like on the weekend, Juventus once again struck late to get the result they needed. “I’m happy about the goal I scored but, when you’re two goals ahead and feel that victory is in the bag, it’s disappointing to be caught up like that,” Nmecha said.

For the neutrals, it was an incredible game to watch. Indeed, this was only the fifth time in Champions League history that two sides battled each other to a 4-4 draw. It is the second time that Juventus has been part of such a crazy scoreline.

Back on Sep. 13, 2000, Juventus came from behind to snatch a point against Hamburger SV. There is another parallel. Hamburger SV made it 4-3 in the 82nd minute. The goalscorer at the time was current Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac.

Like then, tonight was a spectacular affair. “Two teams played outstandingly well in the second half,” Kehl said. “It went back and forth, it was open, and fantastic for the spectators. Overall, I’m actually satisfied with the team’s performance, even if it sounds a bit skewed after the final minutes. We played a good game, conceded few goals and kept coming back after Juve’s goals. We’ll continue consistently down this path.”