Emre Can scored the only goal as Borussia Dortmund beat Hertha Berlin 1-0, but what happened pre-match was of greater resonance.
Match Report
Borussia Dortmund strengthened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin that will be best remembered for a show of pre-match unity.
There was little to inspire once the contest got going, with a lacklustre Dortmund guilty of wasting promising opportunities, last week's hat-trick hero Jadon Sancho missing a sitter in the second half before being denied by Rune Jarstein late on.
However, Emre Can spared Sancho's blushes as he struck the decisive goal in the 57th minute to put Dortmund four points clear of third-placed RB Leipzig. They are seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich, whose coronation as champions for the eighth successive season is on the horizon.
Bundesliga Standings
Match Events
0' Players kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement
The entire squads and coaching staff of both teams also took a knee before kick-off.
8' CLOSE! Hakimi's shot hits the net
The wing-back often finds himself in behind the opposition’s defence and this time is no different as the youngster gets down the right. His options for a pass are tight, however, so he elects to go for goal, drilling an effort into the side netting.
21' MISS! Thorgan Hazard's shot wide out
A cross from Guerreiro finds its way through to Hazard, who sets himself and looks likely to drill home. However, under pressure from a defender, he snaps at his effort and sends it wide.
38' Guerreiro's free-kick wide out
Guerreiro who takes the freekick, but gets far too much power and pace on his cross-shot, sending it harmlessly over.
51' Unbelievable! What a miss from Sancho
A brilliant move from Dortmund sees Witsel release Hakimi, who drills a cross to the far post. Hazard cushions a wonderful touch back to Sancho, but from six yards out, he fails to keep his cool and hammers it wide.
57' GOAL! Dortmund 1-0 Hertha (Emre Can)
Finally, the hosts have the breakthrough, as Can slots in from just inside the area after brilliant combination play from Brandt and Sancho.
83' Emre Can's shot blocked and the ref says no handball
A huge penalty appeal from Dortmund after a strike from Can hits the arm of Boyata. However, there was little the Hertha defender could have done to move out of the way, and the hosts have to settle for a corner.