Axel Witsel completes comeback as Borussia Dortmund beat Zenit to top Group F

Borussia Dortmund clinched top spot in their Champions League goal as goals from Lukasz Piszczek and Axel Witsel saw Lucien Favre’s side come from behind to Zenit St Petersburg 2-1.

Favre was without Erling Haaland, who is expected to be sidelined through injury until the new year, and Dortmund missed the Norwegian’s presence in attack as Zenit made more of their scoring opportunities in the first half.

Zenit opened the scoring after just 16 minutes when Sebastian Driussi’s shot was deflected into the back of the net by Mats Hummels, with Marco Reus striking the woodwork with a right-footed shot on the stroke of half-time.

Youssoufa Moukoko was introduced off the bench in the second half to become the youngest player to ever appear in the Champions League at the age of 16 years and 18 days old. But it was a veteran, Lukasz Piszczek, who restored parity by pouncing first on a rebound from a Mats Hummels toe-poke.

Witsel scuffed a shot in at the near post from outside the box, refusing to celebrate as Dortmund did what was required of them to take top spot over Lazio who could only manage a 2-2 draw in their game against Club Brugge.

History was made in the second half of this match as Moukoko came off the bench to become the youngest ever player in Champions League history. There has been a lot of hype around the 16-year-old who has set goalscoring records at youth level. Can he now translate that into the senior game? This was a subdued introduction to Champions League football, but did we witness the birth of a new superstar in the European game this evening?

Witsel decided not to celebrate after scoring the goal which gave Borussia Dortmund the result they needed to clinch top spot in Group F. The Belgian spent four successful years at Zenit St Petersburg, but didn’t hesitate in doing the damage against his former side. Witsel didn’t just score the winner, he was the one who generally pulled the strings for the Bundesliga side in Russia. He was the best player on the pitch.

Zenit St Petersburg - Kerzhakov 7, Sutormin 5, Prokhin 5, Rakitskiy 6, Santos 5, Kuzyayev 7, Barrios 6, Ozdoev 5, Malcom 7, Driussi 7, Azmoun 7. Subs - Karavayev 5, Lovren 4, Dzyuba 5, Krugovoy 3, Wendel 4.

Borussia Dortmund - Burki 5, Piszczek 7, Can 5, Hummels 6, Bellingham 6, Witsel 7, Passlack 5, Schulz 6, Hazard 6, Brandt 5, Reus 6. Subs - Zagadou 5, Sancho 5, Reyna 6, Moukoko 5, Knauff 3.

16’ GOAL! Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 Borussia Dortmund: Zenit have taken the lead! Azmoun's cut back from the right finds Driussi and his low shot is deflected into the back of the net past Burki! That would have been straight at the Dortmund keeper had it not been for the deflection!

45’ Off the post! Inches away from being an equaliser right on the stroke of half time! Reus got his shot away from 18 yards out, but his effort comes back off the inside of the far post!

68’ GOAL! Zenit St Petersburg 1-1 Borussia Dortmund: It's an equaliser with just over 20 minutes left to play! Hummels stabbed a shot towards goal, Kerzhakov made the save low down, but nobody in blue could react quickly enough and Piszczek slams home!

79’ GOAL! Zenit St Petersburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund: WITSEL! Dortmund have turned this around! Witsel took the shot early, he caught the goalkeeper by surprise and the ball is in the back of the net at the near post! Is that the goal that sends Dortmund through as group winners?

Youssoufa Moukoko became the youngest player to ever feature in the Champions League at the age of 16 years and 18 days old.