Beier answers Germany snub with winning goal as Dortmund stretch perfect start
Maximilian Beier was not in Jurgen Klopp's thoughts when the new Germany coach named his first squad — but he was very much in the headlines on Saturday night. Left out of a 44-player call-up, the Borussia Dortmund forward answered the snub in the most emphatic way possible, scoring the only goal as BVB defeated Stuttgart.
Response from the snubbed striker
Beier's strike secured all three points for Dortmund, who maintained their 100% start to the Bundesliga season and ensured they will sit top of the table heading into the international break. The forward has now been involved in three Bundesliga goals this season (one goal, two assists), a tally bettered at Dortmund only by Serhou Guirassy with four.
Among German players in 2026, only Deniz Undav (17) has recorded more Bundesliga goal involvements than Beier's 12 — six goals and six assists, level with Philipp Tietz. Yet none of that was enough to earn a place in Klopp's first Germany squad, and it was a decision that clearly chafed.
"Life writes the most beautiful stories," Dortmund boss Niko Kovac said. "Maxi Beier isn't with the national team, but he was the one who scored. I'm thrilled for him, and it ultimately shows that we have a great squad and a great player in Maxi, and that he has rewarded himself with this goal.
"Now, he can take a few days off and work from home."
History made at the Signal Iduna Park
The win over Stuttgart carries wider significance for Dortmund. BVB have now opened a Bundesliga season with four consecutive victories for the first time in 11 years — only the fourth time in the club's history they have achieved the feat, after 2001-02, 2013-14 and 2015-16.
Their overall winning run now stands at six matches in all competitions, equalling the best streak recorded under Kovac, who previously managed the same sequence in April and May 2025.
"From both sides, it was an intense game that did not have quite as much as one knew from past encounters between Dortmund and Stuttgart," added Kovac. "It is a statement win to do it here."
For Beier, the international break offers little time to dwell. He heads into it as Dortmund's matchwinner, a goalscorer with a point proven — and a manager who could not be prouder.