Michy Batshuayi Borussia Dortmund ColognePatrik Stollarz

Batshuayi first Bundesliga striker to score debut brace since Aubameyang

Michy Batshuayi has taken a fitting first step toward replacing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Borussia Dortmund, becoming the first player to score two goals in his Bundesliga debut since the Gabon international did so in 2013.

The 24-year-old striker, signed on loan from Chelsea in a deadline-day deal, opened the scoring in the 35th minute and made it a brace in the 62nd as Dortmund earned a 3-2 win away to Cologne on Friday.

In recording a debut double, Batshuayi accomplished a feat last seen in August 2013 when Aubameyang marked his first match following a move from Saint-Etienne with a hat-trick in Dortmund's 4-0 win over Augsburg.

Article continues below

Aubameyang went on to score 98 goals in 144 Bundesliga matches for Dortmund before leaving for Arsenal in a £60 million move on Wednesday.

Batshuayi opened his BVB account by slotting home a Jeremy Toljan service and nearly had a second late in the first half, only to have it called back due to a narrow offside decision.

Batshuayi converted again off a Christian Pulisic through ball mid-way through the second half and that time, the goal stood. 

He also had a hand in Andre Schurrle's 84th-minute winner, picking out the Germany international in the build-up.

Batshuayi's first strike marked a league-wide milestone, as it was the 500th goal scored in the Bundesliga during the 2017-18 campaign.

The Belgium international now has 12 goals over five different competitions this season, having previously scored for Chelsea in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League, and seemed entirely pleased with his first outing for his new side. 

He wrote: "90mns [sic], two goals, an assist & a great victory. Dream debut with BVB #BatsManBack."

Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga after Friday's win, 16 points back of Bayern Munich.

Advertisement