Atalanta survive late chaos to stun Dortmund and reach Champions League last 16

Samardzic scores decisive penalty in eighth minute of stoppage time
Two red cards and VAR drama define extraordinary finish in Bergamo
Atalanta become Italy’s final representatives in the competition

Two red cards, a VAR intervention and a decisive penalty taken with the final kick of the game combined to produce one of the most dramatic finishes in Champions League history as Atalanta eliminated Borussia Dortmund to reach the round of 16.

Lazar Samardzic held his nerve to curl a stoppage time spot kick into the top corner in the eighth minute of added time, sealing a remarkable 4-1 win on the night and a 4-3 aggregate victory that kept Italian hopes alive in Europe’s elite competition.

Dortmund, last season’s beaten finalists, arrived in Bergamo holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and appeared on course to force extra time. Instead, a frantic finale turned the tie on its head.

“Everyone had written us off, but we always believe and we never give up,” said Atalanta scorer Davide Zappacosta. “This team has heart, character and courage.”

Atalanta started with urgency and purpose, knowing they needed early momentum. Gianluca Scamacca struck in the fifth minute to ignite belief inside the stadium before Zappacosta doubled the lead before halftime. Mario Pašalić then headed in a third shortly after the interval to put the hosts ahead on aggregate.

Karim Adeyemi restored parity in the tie when he came off the bench to make it 3-3 on aggregate, leaving extra time seemingly inevitable. However, a mistake from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the dying moments allowed Atalanta to launch one final attack after the initial three minutes of stoppage time had already elapsed.

A cross into the area was set to meet substitute Nikola Krstovic for a simple header into an empty net when Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini stretched out a boot and caught him on the head, drawing blood. A corner was initially awarded, but following a VAR review, the referee overturned the decision and pointed to the penalty spot.

The chaos escalated further when unused substitute Nico Schlotterbeck was shown a red card on the bench for protesting the call, while Bensebaini received a second yellow card for the foul. Samardzic then stepped up and converted, sparking wild celebrations in Bergamo before the referee blew for full time without allowing Dortmund to restart.

“It is an unforgettable night, a dream come true,” said Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino. “The players showed courage, belief and unity when it mattered most.”

The victory ensures Italy will have at least one representative in the Champions League last 16, extending a record that dates back to the 2003-04 season. Serie A champions Napoli failed to reach the playoffs after finishing 30th in the league phase, while Inter Milan were knocked out by Bodø Glimt earlier this week. Juventus were eliminated by Galatasaray, leaving Atalanta as the league’s final hope.

Atalanta return to the knockout stages for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign and will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the next round, with the draw to be made on Friday.

For Dortmund, the defeat marked the first time they had failed to convert a two-goal first-leg lead in a two–legged European tie, having previously progressed on all 10 prior occasions.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.