Result Atalanta - Borussia Dortmund, Wednesday 25 February 2026, UEFA Champions League Knockout Playoffs Second Leg A remarkable achievement was necessary, and that's precisely what Atalanta accomplished!  On Wednesday, 25 February 2026, Atalanta triumphed in the UEFA Champions League Knockout Playoffs Second Leg at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Italy. In simple terms, Atalanta secured their spot in the Champions League round of 16 by turning the tables on Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the playoffs. After facing a 2-0 deficit in the first leg, Atalanta delivered an outstanding performance, first leveling the score and then clinching their qualification by defeating the Germans in a thrilling finish. Adeyemi appeared to be sending the match into extra time, but Kristovic made a selfless play in stoppage time, getting hit in the face and ending up bloodied, yet earning the crucial penalty, which Samardzic successfully converted in the 98th minute. .

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The game ...

⚫️🔵  Atalanta 1 - 0 Borussia Dortmund 

⚽️   Atalanta takes the lead in the 5th minute.   Gianluca Scamacca scores for @Atalanta_BC with a close-range right-footed shot aimed at the center. Zalewski passed to Bernasconi, who dashed forward and delivered a cross to Scamacca, positioned just two steps from the goal, making it an effortless tap-in.  

⚫️🔵 Atalanta 2 - 0 Borussia Dortmund

⚽️   Atalanta increased their advantage in the 45th minute.  Davide Zappacosta scored with a right-footed strike to the upper center. His shot from the edge of the area deflected off Bensebaini, deceiving Kobel into conceding a goal. Atalanta now leads 2-0, making a comeback from a two-goal deficit from the first leg.  

⚫️🔵 Atalanta 3 - 0 Borussia Dortmund

⚽️ Things are going well for Atalanta as they net another goal in the 57th minute.  Mario Pasalic scores with a header from very close range, directing the ball into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Marten de Roon. The comeback is now complete, with Atalanta leading 3-0! This victory secures Atalanta's place in the round of 16. De Roon's cross and the decisive header help Atalanta escape a challenging moment when Dortmund was threatening to score.  

⚫️🔵 Atalanta 3 - 1 Borussia Dortmund

⚽️ In the 75th minute, Karim Adeyemi scored for Borussia Dortmund with a left-footed shot into the top left corner. The assist came from Carney Chukwuemeka after a corner was conceded by Mario Pasalic. It was one of the new signings who brought the game back to life: Adeyemi executed a brilliant curling shot from the edge of the box, getting past Carnesecchi. This outcome would necessitate extra time. In the meantime, Atalanta made another change: Scalvini was substituted for Djimsiti.  

⚫️🔵  Atalanta 4 - 1 Borussia Dortmund

⚽️ In the 98th minute, Lazar Samardžić scored a goal by converting a penalty with a left-footed shot into the top right corner. The penalty was awarded after Ramy Bensebaini fouled Nikola Krstović in the penalty area. Samardzic stepped up to take the penalty, but it missed: Atalanta advances to the round of 16 after an incredible evening! #AtalantaDortmund #ChampionsLeague #ItalianSoccerSerieA

Stats BEFORE the game Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund

Atalanta has been knocked out in each of the last four knockout stages of major European tournaments after losing the first leg. The 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund marked the first occasion where Atalanta lost a first leg in these competitions by more than one goal. Borussia Dortmund has advanced in seven out of nine UEFA Champions League knockout rounds after winning the first leg. In the two instances where they were eliminated, they had won the first leg by just one goal (against PSG in 2019/20 and Chelsea in 2022/23). Prior to this season, there were 126 cases where a team lost the first leg of a UEFA Champions League knockout stage by two or more goals – only 15 of those teams managed to progress, with the last being Liverpool against Barcelona in the 2018/19 semi-final. Atalanta has not won any of their three previous encounters with Borussia Dortmund across all competitions (D1 L2), and their only home game against them ended in a 1-1 draw during the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League. Borussia Dortmund has secured just one victory in their last eight away games against Italian teams in all competitions (D2 L5), with their only win being a 3-1 triumph over AC Milan in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage. Atalanta has suffered defeats in each of their last three UEFA Champions League matches and has never experienced four consecutive losses in major European tournaments.

The New Balance Arena is set for Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund

        Referee José María Sánchez Martínez will have the support of Raúl Cabañero (ESP) and Iñigo Prieto (ESP), while Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP) will act as the fourth official. The VAR responsibilities will be managed by Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (ESP), with Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP) taking on the role of AVAR.

A special day for Samuele Inacio on the horizon. 🔜🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/A97Dkl4Pkr

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 24, 2026

 

Atalanta official starting lineup against Borussia Dortmund

Photo credit via x.com/Atalanta_BC

Borussia Dortmund official starting lineup against Atalanta

Credit via x.com/BlackYellow

A special day for Samuele Inacio on the horizon. 🔜🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/A97Dkl4Pkr

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 24, 2026

      Photo Credit via x.com/BlackYellow UEFA Champions League Knockout Phase Playoffs, Second Leg ATALANTA BC 4 – 1 BORUSSIA DORTMUND Wednesday 25 February 2026 New Balance Arena Bergamo, Italy 18:45 CET Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez ESP Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP Assistant Referee 2: Íñigo Prieto López de Cerain ESP Fourth Official: Juan Martínez Munuera ESP Video Assistant Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández ESP Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande ESP UEFA Referee Observer: Konrad Plautz AUT UEFA Delegate: Kurt Zuppinger SUI ⚽️   Goals:  5' Gianluca Scamacca (A), 45' Davide Zappacosta (A), 57' Mario Pasalic (A), 75' Karim Adeyemi (B), 98' Lazar Samardžić (pen)(A) 🟨  Yellow Cards: 13' Ramy Bensebaini (D), 53' Emre Can (B), 69' Fábio Silva (B), 70' Isak Hien (A) 🟥   Red Card: 97' Ramy Bensebaini (B) ✅ Official Lineups - Formations - Tabellino:  ⚫️🔵    Lineup ATALANTA (3-4-2-1) Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca.   Subs: Rossi, Sportiello, Kossounou, Bakker, Musah, Sulemana, Ederson, Bellanova, Djimsiti, Vavassori, Ahanor, Krstovic. Coach: Raffaele Palladino Lineup BORUSSIA DORTMUND (3-4-2-1) Kobel; Anton, Can, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy.   Subs: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Couto, Schlotterbeck, Ozcan, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer, Fabio Silva, Adeyemi, Inacio, Benkara, Reggiani. Coach: Nico Kovac ============================

Click the video to watch Atalanta 4 - 1 Borussia Dortmund highlights on Wednesday 25 February 2026

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