Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hat trick inspires Borussia Dortmund

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:10 am

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit a hat trick as Borussia Dortmund kept up their pursuit of Bayern Munich with a 5-1 win over Augsburg.

The Gabon international took his record to 20 goals in 17 games in all competitions this season, with Marco Reus grabbing a brace in a rout against the Bundesliga's bottom side.

Raul Bobadilla netted a consolation for the Bavarians, whose coach Markus Weinzierl now faces the biggest challenge of his term on their bench.

Aubameyang nearly got Dortmund off to a flyer as he broke through after just over 30 seconds, but the Augsburg defence cleared for a corner.

The Gabon forward then hit the post, albeit from an offside position, as he continued to look for a goal, having failed to score for the first time this season a week ago.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was in superb form for Dortmund against Augsburg.
Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images

It was a case of third time lucky as he put Dortmund in front in the 18th minute with some excellent work from Ilkay Gundogan, who stepped over the ball and then went to receive it from Gonzalo Castro before delivering a teasing cross for Aubameyang to turn in from close range.

Dortmund doubled their lead three minutes later, with Shinji Kagawa providing a great assist for Reus to turn into the roof of the net at the near post.

The hosts continued to pose a threat and a third goal arrived before the interval with Kagawa again the provider, this time with an excellent control and backheel into the path of Reus, who sent his shot through Marwin Hitz's legs.

Weinzierl made two changes at the interval, including replacing Alexander Esswein with Tobias Werner, whose free-kick Bobadilla flicked over Roman Burki to bring the guests back into the game.

Bobadilla could have made things interesting with another good chance which he screwed wide, but Aubameyang ended any hopes they had of re-opening the game as he slid in to meet Adrian Ramos' shot to make it four

He completed his hat trick with the last kick of the game as Dortmund moved back to within seven points of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.