Kramaric deadly from the spot to down Dortmund and keep Hoffenheim in Euro hunt

[p]A frantic start to the game set the tone for an end-to-end first half, and the hosts almost got off to the perfect start on five minutes. A deep cross was met on the volley by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lemperle-tim/OYG8XB8m/"]Tim Lemperle[/a], and he was unlucky to see the ball smack the face of the bar with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kobel-gregor/xlBg2ttC/"]Gregor Kobel[/a] well beaten.[/p][p]Despite many promising openings throughout the half, the visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances, but did come close when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/svensson-daniel/bs9KBNfb/"]Daniel Svensson[/a]’s header drifted just over the bar.[/p][p]With the game seemingly headed towards a deadlock at half-time, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hoffenheim/hQAtP9Sl/"]Hoffenheim[/a] were awarded a penalty shortly before the interval after a freak incident involving [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sule-niklas/G43Lp4in/"]Niklas Sule[/a].[/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dortmund/nP1i5US1/"]Dortmund[/a] defender looked to have blocked a shot whilst falling to the ground, but to add insult to injury, as he received medical attention, a VAR review ruled he had used his hand, and a penalty was awarded.[/p][p][b]Despite the lengthy wait to take the spot-kick, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kramaric-andrej/6V0rWuu1/"]Kramaric[/a] kept his cool to tuck the ball past the despairing dive of Kobel to send the home side into the break ahead.[/b][/p][image alt="Hoffenheim - Dortmund match stats" id="23a4a129-90a1-4b11-8aac-a651185dc0bf" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="2191b6f2-d508-4c18-85ae-7aa321461620" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]As the second half progressed, the visitors started to pin Hoffenheim deeper in their own half, but clear-cut chances remained at a premium, resulting in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kovac-niko/C4T3u731/"]Niko Kovac[/a] throwing top-scorer [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/guirassy-serhou/YXRCmup6/"]Serhou Guirassy[/a] into the fray despite pre-match injury concerns.[/p][p]Despite the attacking changes, the expected onslaught from Dortmund failed to materialise, with the home side defending stoutly and managing the game wisely.[/p][p][b]However, just when it looked like the points were secure, Guirassy produced a moment of magic from nothing, turning and smashing a pinpoint drive past [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baumann-oliver/MZ6BATVO/"]Oliver Baumann[/a] from the edge of the area. [/b][/p][p]The drama wasn’t done yet, however, as a VAR review adjudged that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ryerson-julian/8nv0ZZYK/"]Julian Ryerson[/a] was guilty of handball inside the area, giving the hosts the chance to snatch victory from the spot.[/p][p][b]The ever-reliable Kramaric held his nerve to dispatch the spot-kick into the same corner deep into stoppage time and secure victory. [/b][/p][p]A first win at home to Dortmund since December 2019 (L5) moves Die Kraichgauer to within two points of the top four, having played a game more than the two sides above them, while Dortmund’s downfall gives [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bayern-munich/nVp0wiqd/"]Bayern Munich[/a] the chance to win the Bundesliga tomorrow.[/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/anton-waldemar/b3gqj94D/"]Waldemar Anton[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dortmund/nP1i5US1/"]Borussia Dortmund[/a])[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/dortmund-nP1i5US1/hoffenheim-hQAtP9Sl/?mid=jJr6pBeB"]Take a look at the match summary here[/a][/b].[/p]