Analysis
Fabio Silva is Borussia Dortmund's hero in Der Klassiker: Could the Portugal forward fulfil his potential after all?
Fabio Silva stole the show from Harry Kane in Der Klassiker by scoring Borussia Dortmund's late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich. Adam Bate was at the Allianz Arena to see what could prove to be a big moment in the Portugal forward's career
Monday 2 November 2026 09:48, UK
While the Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane was fluffing his lines at one end of the pitch, Fabio Silva was preparing to rewrite the script at the other. His late equaliser for Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker must be the most important goal of his career.
It was magnificent too. The first touch was perfection to protect the ball and give him just enough space to arrow a shot into the far corner with his second. An 89th-minute equaliser away to Bayern Munich to maintain Dortmund's unbeaten record.
There is a feeling within Dortmund that he needed this as a reward for his efforts. Speaking to goalkeeper Gregor Kobel afterwards, he made the point that forwards need goals to feel good. Stealing the show from Kane could be a transformative moment.
Silva's potential has long been debated. He was just 18 when Wolves committed £30m to sign him from Porto, the club's chairman talking of a generational talent. Nominated for the Golden Boy award, this was the very definition of the precocious wonderkid.
- Bundesliga: Table | Fixtures & results
- Want to watch Bundesliga football?
- Latest Sky Sports deals or stream games with no contract
But thrust into Premier League action before he was ready proved a struggle. Sixty-two appearances in the competition yielded only four goals, with mixed fortunes on loan at Anderlecht, PSV and Rangers before more promising signs at Las Palmas in LaLiga.
When he finally left Wolves to sign permanently for Dortmund last year, Silva added a seventh different European league to his ledger. But after a first Bundesliga season in which he was largely relegated to the bench, an eighth looked likely in the summer.
Speaking to Silva in August after he scored in the German Super Cup against Bayern, he did not rule out a departure from Dortmund. "I don't know what is going to happen," he said. "Of course, I want to start more games, I want to be more important to this team."
When those comments were put to Silva on Saturday, he acknowledged that there was some uncertainty. "Of course, in the transfer window there were too many noises around me, but this is normal, it is part of football." A conversation changed things.
"I sat with the coach, with the sporting director, and we had an amazing talk before the market closed." Reassured of his role and the chance of an impact at one of Europe's best-supported clubs, he then scored in his first two Bundesliga games of the season.
But opportunities continue to be limited. His only Bundesliga start in the past six weeks came against Eintracht Frankfurt when he was substituted before Maxi Beier's late winner. But this goal feels like a big moment and there are reasons for Silva, now 24, to believe it.
Once regarded as a penalty-box poacher, he has added more to his game as his physicality has developed. He regards himself as a cross between a No 9 and a No 10 and that opens up possibilities alongside the experienced striker Serhou Guirassy.
Silva deputised for him for much of last season, starting only four games together all campaign. While many Dortmund supporters favoured Silva's work rate, his total of three goals compared to Guirassy's 22 reflected his team-mate's greater goal threat.
They have had three starts together this season - Dortmund winning the lot - and Guirassy stayed on the pitch with Silva in Munich having already scored the game's first equaliser. Silva is understandably keen to stress that he can be a partner to Guirassy not his back-up.
"When I am with Serhou on the pitch, I think us together we combine very good. I know Serhou is one of the best players in the world in his position, and I learn with him every day, but everyone can see sometimes we can play together and enjoy playing together."
Frustrations remain. "I prefer to start than to be on the bench. If I say the opposite I am not being 100 per cent honest. But I always try to be positive during the week when I see I don't play. Of course, the first moments I am angry, but after I try to always be positive."
He added: "Because I know that I can be important for the team. Everyone can see this season I am being important if I start on the bench or if I start on the pitch, and I am focused on that because I think we have an amazing squad to fight for good things."
The result in Munich underlined that. It remains in Silva's interests to talk up his ability to play with Guirassy. "I do more than score goals." But this one against Bayern could be huge for him. "I have this feeling," he concluded. "I have more things to give to this club."
