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Serhou Guirassy produced decisive moments at both ends as Borussia Dortmund began their Champions League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Villarreal.

The Guinea striker scored twice but also put through his own net on a chaotic landmark evening, with BVB ultimately doing enough to claim all three points despite late tension at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund survive five-goal Champions League thriller

Dortmund kicked off their Champions League season with an entertaining 3-2 victory against Villarreal. Guirassy was the standout figure, finding the net twice at the right end before accidentally scoring an own goal during a frantic second half.

The home side went in front soon after the interval when Renato Veiga's delivery was turned into his own goal. Santiago Mourino levelled for Villarreal, but Dortmund's extra quality told in the end as they battled their way to three valuable points.

Guirassy delivers a dramatic late double

Villarreal passed up a number of excellent first-half chances, with Georges Mikautadze miscuing from close range and Tajon Buchanan forcing Gregor Kobel into an outstanding save. Dortmund made them pay in the 53rd minute, when Veiga inadvertently diverted a Maximilian Beier cross beyond his own goalkeeper.

Mourino then caught Kobel off guard with a glanced header to bring the Spanish side level, but Guirassy put Dortmund back in front in the 80th minute by turning in Fabio Silva's accurate low cross. Three minutes later, Guirassy won a penalty and converted it himself after Mourino brought him down inside the area.

There was still more drama to come when a save from Kobel bounced off Guirassy's face and into his own net. Villarreal threw men forward in search of another equaliser, but Veiga sent a late opportunity wide deep into stoppage time.

Striker reaches milestone in remarkable European spell

The dramatic contest marked Guirassy's 100th appearance for Dortmund, taking his goal tally for the club to 64. His display added further weight to his growing standing as one of Europe's most clinical forwards.

Since the beginning of the 2024-25 season, the Guinea international has been directly involved in 26 goals in 25 Champions League appearances. Across the competition, only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has a better return.

At the same time, Villarreal's away difficulties in Europe continued despite a more encouraging attacking display. The Yellow Submarine had not scored in any of their four away Champions League matches last season, although they stretched Dortmund all the way on this occasion.

Both teams now switch focus back to domestic football

After coming through a difficult opening European fixture, Dortmund will now shift their attention to domestic action. BVB are next set to host Paderborn in the Bundesliga as they look to carry this momentum forward.

Villarreal, meanwhile, must recover quickly after their narrow loss in Germany. The Spanish side return to La Liga with a home match against Real Betis, who were also in European action after recording a 3-2 win over Lille.