Borussia Dortmund eased past Tottenham Hotspur, 3-0, in the first of their two meetings for the UEFA Europa League Round of 16.
While Tottenham managed to absorb Dortmund’s pressure for much of the opening half hour, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke the deadlock as the clock hit 30 minutes played.
Marcel Schmelzer played a perfect cross into the box, which Aubameyang rose to meet the ball in the air and headed it into the far corner, leaving Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris no chance to react.
Here’s a look at the striker’s opening goal:
After taking their 1-0 advantage into the half, Dortmund almost sprung a second goal in the opening minutes of the second interval.
Again, Aubameyang was played into the penalty area, but this time passed up a shot and played a short pass towards goal. The ball was intended for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the midfielder’s effort smashed off the post, keeping Tottenham in the match.
Tottenham feel victim to a second goal conceded in the 61st minute, after Marco Reus blasted home a close-range volley that originated from a corner kick. Neven Subotic, who was substituted on for Sven Bender just minutes earlier, won the header off of the set piece, before Reus finished.
The 26-year old Reus added a third nine minutes later, all but burying Tottenham’s chances in the second leg.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino attempted to rescue a glimmer of hope for the away side by introducing Harry Kane into the match with under 20 minutes remaining, however, the Englishman failed to make an impact in that span.
The two sides will meet again on March 17 at White Hart Lane.
