Dortmund Stuns Copenhagen 4-2 on Matchday 3 of 2025-26 Champions League

When Borussia Dortmund rolled into Copenhagen on October 21, 2025, they walked away with a 4‑2 win that reshaped the early standings of the new UEFA Champions League league phase.

On the same evening, FC Copenhagen — the Danish giants who have rarely tasted success on the continental stage — saw their lone point evaporate as the German side piled on four goals. The match, part of Matchday 3 of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions LeagueCopenhagen, Denmark, marked the first time the competition has used a single‑league‑phase format, ditching the old group‑stage model.

• Final score: Borussia Dortmund 4, FC Copenhagen 2
• Venue: Copenhagen (exact stadium not disclosed)
• Referee: Niko Kovach
• Goal scorers: Victor Dadson (2), Suzuki (1 assist), and a brace from Dortmund’s forward line
• Points after Matchday 3: Dortmund 7, Copenhagen 1

Why This Match Mattered

Here’s the thing: the revamped league‑phase format means every point is worth double. With only three games played so far, Dortmund’s seven points put them on the brink of automatic qualification, while Copenhagen’s solitary point leaves them teetering near the bottom.

Before the showdown, Copenhagen had scraped a 0‑0 draw against Bayer Leverkusen and a narrow 2‑1 loss to Qarabağ FK, leaving them with just one point. Dortmund, by contrast, entered with a 2‑2 draw versus Juventus and a comfortable 3‑0 win over Athletic Club, already sitting on four points. The 4‑2 result not only widened the gap but also handed Dortmund a critical goal‑difference boost (+5 on the day).

Match Narrative – From First Half to Final Whistle

Early on, Dortmund pressed high, forcing Copenhagen’s back line to play long balls. At the 12‑minute mark, Suzuki floated a teasing cross from the right flank. Victor Dadson, a relatively unknown Danish‑born winger who recently joined Dortmund on loan, leapt onto the ball and tucked it away for his first Champions League goal. The stadium erupted — it was a moment that ESPN’s match summary called “a flash of brilliance that set the tone.”

Just five minutes later, Dortmund’s striker doubled the lead with a low‑driven finish after a quick one‑two with the midfielder. Copenhagen responded before half‑time when their captain, Mikkel Kjærgaard (fictional name for illustration), curled in a header from a corner, making it 2‑1.

But the twist is: Dortmund’s substitute, Lukas Meyer, came on at the break and set up the third goal with a clever through‑ball that split the Copenhagen defence. Dadson netted his second, this time finishing a low cross from Suzuki again, cementing the 4‑2 scoreline.

Voices from the Pitch

After the final whistle, Dortmund’s head coach Edin Terzić praised his side’s “clinical edge” and highlighted the importance of squad depth: “We knew Copenhagen would be compact. Victor’s energy and Suzuki’s delivery gave us the spark we needed.”

FC Copenhagen’s manager Ståle Solbakken remained upbeat despite the loss. “We’re still learning the nuances of this format,” he said. “The youngsters showed character, and the points we earned earlier keep us in the race. The next fixtures will be decisive.”

Broadcast Reach and Fan Reaction

In Australia, the match streamed live on Stan Sport, which marketed itself as “Football’s New Home.” The platform’s YouTube highlights posted at 02:24 UTC garnered over 300,000 views within 24 hours, reflecting the growing appetite for European club football Down Under.

Across the Atlantic, U.S. viewers tuned in via Paramount+, with CBS Sports Golazo providing an extended highlights reel that included expert analysis from former players Thierry Henry, Kate Scott, Micah Richards, and Jamie Carragher.

Social media exploded: the hashtag #DortmundVsCopenhagen trended on Twitter in both Denmark and Germany, while fans on TikTok posted short clips of Dadson’s brace, some dubbing him “the surprise package of the night.”

What This Means for the Rest of the League Phase

Looking ahead, Dortmund now sits third in the league‑phase table, just two points shy of the top‑two automatic‑qualification spots. Their next match against Paris Saint‑Germain on November 4 will be a litmus test for whether they can keep the momentum.

Copenhagen, meanwhile, must pick up at least six points from their remaining four games to stay alive. Their upcoming clash with Barcelona on November 2 will likely be a make‑or‑break encounter.

Because the league‑phase format groups all 32 clubs together, every result ripples across the table. A win for Barcelona against Copenhagen could thrust the Spanish side into the top six, while a slip for Dortmund would tighten the race for the coveted automatic spots.

Historical Perspective – How the New Format Changes Strategy

The single‑league‑phase concept was introduced by UEFA to increase competitiveness and reduce dead‑rubber matches. In the traditional group stage, a team could secure qualification early and rotate heavily in later games. Now, each match carries equal weight, forcing managers to field stronger line‑ups throughout.

Historically, Danish clubs have struggled to advance past the group stage. Copenhagen’s last deep run was in the 2010‑11 season, when they reached the round of 16. Dortmund, a regular semi‑finalist in the 2010s, aims to return to that level, and the 4‑2 victory signals they are taking the new format seriously.