The first half was dominated by Dortmund, who were clearly the better team, as reflected in the scoreline despite some early difficulties in playing out from the back.

The first goal scoring opportunity came in the 5th minute when Erling Haaland powered his way into the box, forcing the Schalke goalkeeper Markus Schubert to make a diving save.

In the 7th minute, Thorgan Hazard - brother of Real Madrid's Eden Hazard, who was a late replacement for Giovanni Reyna - had a shot over the bar from a good position. And in the 13th minute, Achraf Hakimi - on loan from Real Madrid - sent a cross into the six-yard box that was intercepted by Jean-Pierre Todibo.

Dortmund improved and took control of the game as the minutes passed, led by Julian Brandt in the midfield.

Schalke hardly threatened in the opposition area. The only chance came in the 26th minute when Daniel Caligiuri's shot was saved by Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki.

Dortmund finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Lucasz Piszcek initiated the move with a pass from near the center circle. Brandt played a wonderful first-touch pass that fell to Hazard, who crossed the ball for Haaland to score with a knee finish.

Dortmund continued to dominate the game. In the 35th minute, Achraf made an impressive run down the flank but his shot went over the bar. Then, in the 44th minute, Guerreiro capitalized on a poor clearance by Schubert, assisted by Brandt, to score with a left-footed shot.

In the second half, Schalke came out with a more attacking plan and made substitutions to change their system. However, Dortmund struck again on the counter-attack, with Hazard scoring the third goal assisted by Brandt in the 47th minute.

To dispel any doubts, Guerreiro scored the fourth goal in the 63rd minute, assisted by Haaland.

Match Details:

4; Borussia Dortmund: Bürki; Piszcek, Hummels, Akanji; Hakimi, Dahoud (Götze, 87), Delaney (Balerdi, 68), Guerreiro (Schmelzer, 87); Brandt (Sancho, 79), Hazard; and Haaland.

0; Schalke 04: Schubert; Todibo (Burgstaller, 46), Sané, Nastasic; Kenny (Becker, 87), Serdar (Schopf, 74), McKennie, Oczipka, Caligiuri (Miranda, 76), Harit; and Raman (Matondo, 46).

Goals: 1-0: m. 29, Haaland. 2-0: m.45, Guerreiro. 3-0, m. 48: Hazard. 4-0, m.63: Guerreiro.

Referee: Deniz Aytekin. Booked Delaney, Piszczek, Matondo.

Match report provided by Agencia EFE.

Incidences: Match corresponding to the twenty-sixth matchday of the German Bundesliga - the first after the pandemic-induced break - played behind closed doors at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.