Dortmund leave it late to beat Essen in Pokal first round | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund left it late to defeat third division Rot-Weiss Essen 1-0 and progess to the DFB-Pokal second round.

Scorers: Guirassy 79'

Niko Kovač named a mostly full-strength side, but will have been disappointed with his side's efforts for large parts as they toiled against a side two leagues below them.

Essen had less of the ball, unsurprisingly, but tested Gregor Kobel on a number of occasions.

The only goal of the game came with just 11 minutes left, as Serhou Guirassy came to Dortmund's rescue and broke the hosts' hearts with a stunning curled effort from just outside the box.

The Bundesliga giants avoid a major upset, but will need to majorly improve ahead of their Bundesliga opener away to St. Pauli on Saturday.

📸 INA FASSBENDER - AFP or licensors