Napoli beats Dortmund 2-1 to extend perfect start

Napoli beats Dortmund 2-1 to extend perfect start

Published Sep. 18, 2013 10:47 p.m. ET

Napoli extended its perfect start in Serie A to the Champions League with a 2-1 win Wednesday over 10-man Borussia Dortmund, last season's runner-up.

Prized signing Gonzalo Higuain put Napoli ahead 29 minutes in on a rainy night at San Paolo stadium by heading home a cross from Camilo Zuniga, after which Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp was sent off for protesting.

Higuain was also at the center of the action in the Group F match when goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller was shown a red card for using his hands outside his area to deny the striker in first-half added time.

Lorenzo Insigne doubled Napoli's lead in the 67th with a free kick to the top corner that ricocheted in off the underside of the crossbar, while Dortmund's reserve goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak could do nothing.

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Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang attempted to pull one back in the 70th but his shot bounced off the crossbar.

Zuniga scored an own goal for Dortmund in the 87th with a poorly intercepted cross.

Napoli next visits Arsenal in Group F, while Dortmund debuts at home against Marseille.

Both Napoli and Dortmund entered with perfect starts to their domestic leagues, with Napoli winning its opening three matches and Dortmund taking a club-record five.

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