Borussia Dortmund put the brakes on a five-match winless run in all competitions to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 at home in the Champions League on Wednesday, securing a play-off spot.

The match itself was a relatively comfortable affair for managerless Dortmund, with Serhou Guirassy scoring a first-half brace to take away any potential nerviness.

The opening goal came in the 17th minute, with Karim Adeyemi's shot being deflected into Guirassy's path and into the goal. The Guinean striker had his and Dortmund's second just before half-time after being slipped in by Julian Brandt before finishing confidently.

Early in the second half, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel got the visitors back into things with a dreadful error. The Swiss stopper took too much time in possession and was tackled by Marlon Gomes, who managed to squeeze the ball in.

But any hopes of an equaliser were dashed when Remy Bensebaini restored Dortmund's two-goal lead with 11 minutes to go to wrap up the three points.

The victory ensures that Dortmund finish 10th in the Champions League table, meaning they will face either Club Brugge or Sporting in the play-off round. Shakhtar, meanwhile, are eliminated after finishing 27th.

Job done! pic.twitter.com/vO2YTVVRlj

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 29, 2025

Data debrief: Dortmund back to winning ways

Dortmund had lost four and drawn one of their last five matches in all competitions prior to this victory.

They were also without a win in five in all competitions at Signal Iduna Park – both runs that cost former head coach Nuri Sahin his job.

Guirassy's goals, meanwhile, make him just the third player to hit double figures for goal involvements for Borussia Dortmund in a single Champions League campaign (11 – 9 goals, 2 assists), after Robert Lewandowski in 2012-13 (12) and Erling Haaland in 2020-21 (12).