Hat-trick hero Sancho honours George Floyd in crushing victory

It was a strange game. Haaland's absence had Dortmund worried, and his absence was indeed dully noted in the first half of the game. The most predictable scenario was that Borussia Dortmund would soon score, put in a quick march and close the game in no time. But no, it was the other way round.

Paderborn started off strong with some occasional chance creation and a fierce attitude. The first half saw more of Paderborn's abilities than its rivals, who had been expected to dominate from the get go. The first beam of light was provoked by Guerreiro with a shot from close range that cleared Collins as best he could. 

Antwi-Adjej could have been the hero of the night if he had sharpened his shooting skills. Three shots in a row, but only one considerably dangerous one. The first half was slow, and the first foul came after 26 minutes, which summed up the level of tensions. 

Everything changed in the second half thanks to Jadon Sancho who, despite not having his usual pace and skill today, clearly showed he is on his way to full recovery with a stunning hat-trick. 

Paderborn began to struggle defensively and not even a penalty at the 72nd minute could stop Dortmund at that point. 

The first goal was scored by Hazard thanks to a great assist by Emre Can, and then the goal-fest started. Only three minutes had passed when Jadon Sancho scored his first goal of three. Sancho, 20, celebrated by revealing a t-shirt stating "Jutice for George Floyd", and was booked for the gesture at Paderborn after the death of Floyd in Minnesota has sparked violence in cities across the United States.

George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis during an arrest by a police officer who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck.

 

May 31, 2020

He is one of three players to protest on the pitch as earlier on Sunday, French striker Marcus Thuram scored twice in Borussia Moenchengladbach's win over Union Berlin and took a knee in protest at Floyd's death, and Schalke's US midfielder Weston McKennie wore an armband in his team's defeat to Werder Bremen bearing the words "Justice for George" the day prior. 

Srbeny had a goal disallowed with a clear offside until Emre Cam jumped in to cover a caused the penalty. 

Sancho hit the net again with his left foot, entering the final stretch of the game that consumed Paderborn. Not even the changes slowed down Dortmund.

Achraf, who also payed homage to George Floyd, and Schmelzer also scored goals to round up a textbook counter-attack style in which Sancho was prominent. 

 

May 31, 2020