BERLIN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Serhou Guirassy scored late to earn Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 victory at Wolfsburg on Saturday, extending its winning streak and intensifying the Bundesliga title race.
The home side almost struck first when Mohamed Amoura broke clear following a Waldemar Anton mistake, but the forward failed to beat goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Wolfsburg then suffered an early blow as Kilian Fischer was forced off injured in the 17th minute.
Dortmund gradually imposed more control before the break. Maximilian Beier came close when his effort struck the crossbar, before the visitors took the lead in the 38th minute. Julian Brandt met Julian Ryerson's corner with a clever near-post header to give Dortmund a deserved advantage at halftime.
Wolfsburg responded strongly after the interval and was rewarded early in the second half. From a Maximilian Arnold free-kick, Konstantinos Koulierakis rose to head home the equalizer in the 52nd minute.
Wolfsburg continued to mount pressure, with Amoura repeatedly going close, before substitute Lovro Majer sent a looping header onto the crossbar. The host was frustrated again as Arnold also struck the woodwork with a long-range effort.
Dortmund found a winner late on. A swift exchange between Felix Nmecha and Fabio Silva opened space inside the area, allowing Guirassy to finish from close range three minutes from time.
With its fifth successive league win, Dortmund reduced the gap to leader Bayern Munich to three points, continuing a remarkable turnaround after having trailed by 11 points in mid-January. Wolfsburg stayed just one point above the relegation playoff place.
"We controlled the first half but were slow after the break, allowing Wolfsburg to grow into the game. Winning such tight matches is important, and that is why we are satisfied," said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac.
Elsewhere, relegation-threatened St. Pauli shocked fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart 2-1, while ten-man SC Freiburg edged Werder Bremen 1-0. Mainz 05 made it three straight wins after beating FC Augsburg 2-0. Hamburger SV defeated bottom side FC Heidenheim 2-0, and Bayer Leverkusen played out a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach. ■
