Sports

Atalanta eliminate Dortmund with controversial late penalty

Feb 26, 2026

Berlin [Germany], February 26: A debatable penalty in stoppage time helped Atalanta dramatically dump Borussia Dortmund out of the Champions League after overturning a first-leg deficit to march into the last 16.
The Germans were favourites coming into Wednesday's play-off second leg in Italy after their 2-0 win at home last week. But they could not cope with Atalanta's verve or their own frailties as Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Mario Pasalic put the hosts 3-0 up.
Karim Adeyemi levelled the tie in style before Dortmund team mate Ramy Bensebaini, the fall guy all night, was adjudged to have conceded a spot-kick when clearing the ball and Lazar Samardzic converted eight minutes in stoppage time.
The Italians won 4-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate to leave Dortmund seething at themselves and the match officials.
It means an all-German last 16 clash is no longer certain in Friday's draw, with Bayern Munich facing either Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen, who got past Olympiacos Piraeus in their play-off on Tuesday.
Source: Qatar Tribune