Hoffenheim Edge Dortmund As Kramaric Penalties Push Bayern Toward Bundesliga Title

Andrej Kramaric converted two penalties, including a 98th-minute winner, as Hoffenheim defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Bundesliga. The late drama at PreZero Arena damaged Dortmund’s title hopes and left Bayern Munich within reach of another championship, with Bayern needing only a draw against Stuttgart on Sunday to secure a 35th league crown.

The match swung several times in the final minutes. Kramaric scored from the spot in the first half, before Serhou Guirassy levelled in the 87th minute. Another penalty, awarded for a handball by Julian Ryerson deep into stoppage time, allowed Kramaric to strike again and lift Hoffenheim up the table.

Dortmund entered the game with confidence, having lost only one of the previous 11 Bundesliga meetings with Hoffenheim. That record counted for little once the final whistle sounded, as this defeat left their pursuit of Bayern Munich in serious trouble and shifted momentum firmly towards the leaders heading into Sunday’s fixtures.

The hosts started with far greater intensity. After just 16 seconds, Fisnik Asllani’s effort was hacked off the line by Niklas Sule. Soon after, Tim Lemperle met Wouter Burger’s cross with a volley that bounced off the crossbar. Dortmund struggled to settle, and Gregor Kobel needed a sharp save to deny Kramaric following a neat pass from Vladimir Coufal.

The first major VAR incident arrived in the 42nd minute. Kramaric’s shot struck the arm of Sule, who was falling in the area. After reviewing the footage, the referee pointed to the spot. Kramaric stayed composed and sent Kobel the wrong way, giving Hoffenheim a deserved half-time advantage after sustained pressure.

Dortmund controlled more of the ball after the interval but created limited clear chances. With three minutes remaining, Guirassy finally broke through, shifting the ball onto the right foot and driving a powerful strike into the bottom-left corner. However, Alexander Prass then delivered a cross that brushed Ryerson’s arm, another VAR review confirmed a penalty, and Kramaric again beat Kobel in the 98th minute.

Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga stats and records

The outcome also highlighted contrasting trends from the penalty spot. Hoffenheim’s players once again showed reliability from 12 yards. They had last failed with a Bundesliga penalty in September 2022 against Mainz, when Kramaric did not score. Since then, the team have converted 22 consecutive league penalties, underlining their strength in such situations.

Underlying numbers from the game supported Hoffenheim’s victory. The hosts produced an expected goals figure of 2.11 from 13 attempts, with Kramaric’s two penalties accounting for 1.77 of that total. Dortmund managed eight shots and an expected goals value of 0.73, reflecting difficulty in creating high-quality opportunities despite late pressure.

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The result also carried significance in the standings. Hoffenheim ended a four-match winless run in the Bundesliga and climbed to fifth place after Bayer Leverkusen’s defeat against Augsburg. Given their attacking threat, the penalty efficiency and the volume of chances created, Hoffenheim’s players could claim the three points were earned on balance of play.

The dramatic finish at PreZero Arena reshaped both ends of the table. Hoffenheim strengthened hopes of European qualification with a resilient display, capped by Kramaric’s clinical penalties. Dortmund, by contrast, missed a chance to keep serious pressure on Bayern Munich, and now must rely on other results to keep the title race alive.