The Bundesliga’s return after a chilly three-week winter break did not disappoint, as Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund delivered a six-goal thriller at the Waldstadion. On January 9, 2026, both teams shook off the cold and came out swinging, ultimately sharing the spoils in a dramatic 3-3 draw that left fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Bundesliga followers had been eagerly awaiting the restart, with Europe’s winter storms threatening to disrupt fixtures across the continent. But in Frankfurt, the skies cleared just enough for this highly anticipated clash to go ahead as planned. The stage was set: Dortmund, hoping to kick off the Rückrunde with a statement win, faced a rejuvenated Eintracht Frankfurt side featuring a fresh face up front—Younes Ebnoutalib, the 2. Bundesliga’s top scorer, making his Bundesliga debut after a winter market move.
For the Black and Yellows, there was relief as Gregor Kobel, recently sidelined by flu, returned between the posts. His presence would prove vital in a match where defensive resilience was tested time and again. Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s faithful were buzzing with excitement at the prospect of Ebnoutalib’s first outing in the top flight, hoping his scoring touch would translate seamlessly.
The opening minutes hinted at a dream start for Dortmund. Just over ten minutes in, Julian Ryerson whipped a crisp low cross into the box, finding Maximilian Beier, who showed real composure to slot home from close range. The early lead sent the traveling supporters into raptures and seemed to set the tone for a dominant BVB display.
But football has a way of flipping the script. Rather than wilting, Frankfurt responded with determination, gradually asserting themselves and pushing Dortmund deeper into their own half. The equalizer, when it came, was shrouded in controversy and frustration for Dortmund. A seemingly innocuous throw-in from Kristensen was flicked on by Theate, but chaos ensued as Serhou Guirassy, BVB’s striker struggling with a prolonged dip in form, clumsily fouled Robin Koch in the penalty area. The referee had little choice—penalty to Frankfurt.
Can Uzun, showing nerves of steel, stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick past Kobel. As noted by OneFootball, "Can Uzun confidently converted the ensuing penalty." For Guirassy, the moment was a bitter pill, adding to a string of recent struggles and intensifying scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. "The star striker has been struggling with a dip in form for months now and has faced increasing criticism lately. This incident will likely only add fuel to the fire," the match report observed. The score was level, and the match was wide open.
If the first half was lively, the second was downright chaotic. Both sides traded blows, with momentum swinging like a pendulum. Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha restored the visitors’ lead with a precise right-footed strike from outside the box, finding the bottom left corner and briefly silencing the home crowd. But Frankfurt, buoyed by their winter signing, refused to relent. Ebnoutalib, making an instant impact, latched onto a slick through ball from Arnaud Kalimuendo and rifled home from the center of the box, notching his first Bundesliga goal and sending the Waldstadion into a frenzy.
Substitutions came thick and fast as both managers sought the decisive edge. For Dortmund, Carney Chukwuemeka replaced Julian Brandt, Emre Can came on for Niklas Süle, Karim Adeyemi was introduced for Beier, and Fábio Silva entered for Guirassy. Frankfurt countered with Nnamdi Collins for Arthur Theate, Mario Götze for Ansgar Knauff, Mahmoud Dahoud for Oscar Højlund, and Kalimuendo for Uzun. Each change injected fresh energy and tactical tweaks, but neither side could fully seize control.
The drama reached fever pitch in the closing stages. Mahmoud Dahoud, coming off the bench for Frankfurt, curled a stunning left-footed effort into the top right corner, giving the Eagles a 3-2 lead and seemingly tilting the contest in their favor. Dortmund, however, were not done. With time running out and the fourth official signaling five minutes of added time, the visitors pressed relentlessly. Their persistence paid off when Chukwuemeka, having entered as a substitute, pounced from close range to fire a right-footed shot into the top left corner, salvaging a dramatic point for the visitors.
The final whistle brought a collective exhale from both sets of supporters. The scoreline, Eintracht Frankfurt 3, Borussia Dortmund 3, reflected a contest brimming with attacking intent, defensive lapses, and no shortage of heart-stopping moments. Gregor Kobel, back in goal for Dortmund, was called into action repeatedly, making several key saves to keep his side in the hunt. On the other end, Frankfurt’s Kauã Santos also stood tall, denying Dortmund on multiple occasions, including a header from Nico Schlotterbeck that rattled the bar.
The match was not without disciplinary flashpoints. Yellow cards were brandished for fouls by Arthur Theate, Niklas Süle, Nathaniel Brown, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Emre Can, and Waldemar Anton, underscoring the intensity and physicality on display. Each team had spells of dominance and moments of vulnerability, with set pieces and quick transitions providing plenty of opportunities for both attacks.
For Eintracht Frankfurt, the debut of Younes Ebnoutalib was a resounding success. The former 2. Bundesliga top scorer wasted little time in making his mark, not only finding the net but also linking up effectively with his new teammates. His presence will surely give Frankfurt a boost as they look to climb the table in the season’s second half.
Dortmund, meanwhile, will take heart from their resilience, coming from behind late in the game to snatch a point on the road. The return of Gregor Kobel adds stability at the back, but questions remain over Guirassy’s form and the team’s ability to close out tight matches. With the Bundesliga season back in full swing and the title race heating up, every point is precious.
Broadcast to fans around the world, from ESPN 2 in the US to BBC iPlayer in the UK and Sat. 1 in Germany, this match served as a showcase for the excitement and unpredictability that defines German football. Despite the wintry backdrop and swirling winds, both teams delivered a spectacle worthy of the Bundesliga’s reputation.
As the dust settles in Frankfurt, both sides can reflect on a hard-fought draw that offered plenty of positives—and more than a few lessons—for the weeks ahead. With the second half of the season now underway, all eyes will be on how Dortmund and Frankfurt build on this electric encounter. For now, the Bundesliga is well and truly back, and if this match is any indication, fans are in for a wild ride.
