Felix Nmecha scored twice in the second half to secure the victory for Niko Kovač's side, while Noel Futkeu produced a spectacular overhead kick for Elversberg in a competitive encounter.
Dortmund entered the match looking to maintain their pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, but Elversberg proved difficult opponents during an evenly contested opening period.
The visitors started confidently and created an early opportunity through Lukas Petkov, whose effort was comfortably saved by Gregor Kobel.
Dortmund responded through Jobe Bellingham and Fábio Silva, but neither player managed to find the breakthrough.
Silva came particularly close in the 29th minute when his close-range effort went narrowly wide. Nmecha also threatened, but his header sailed over the crossbar.
Both teams suffered injury setbacks before half-time. Dortmund midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka was replaced by Maximilian Beier in the 34th minute, while Elversberg captain Lukas Pinckert was forced off three minutes later.
The first half ended goalless, with Elversberg showing that they were capable of troubling the home side.
Dortmund returned from the break with greater attacking intensity and eventually opened the scoring in the 55th minute.
Fábio Silva collected a long pass from Joey Veerman, moved into the penalty area and laid the ball back for Nmecha, who fired a low effort into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
Elversberg responded positively and nearly equalised through Lukas Petkov, whose powerful free-kick forced Kobel into an important save.
However, Dortmund doubled their advantage in the 71st minute through another outstanding effort from Nmecha.
After Maximilian Beier's attempt was blocked, the ball fell to the midfielder, who unleashed a powerful strike from outside the penalty area. The shot travelled at approximately 124 km/h, leaving goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof with little chance.
Despite trailing by two goals, Elversberg continued to fight and pulled one back in the 81st minute.
Following a corner, Florian Le Joncour headed the ball into the path of substitute Noel Futkeu, who produced a brilliant overhead kick to beat Kobel and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The goal created a tense finish as Elversberg pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson produced an important defensive intervention in the 85th minute, while Kobel also remained alert as the visitors increased their pressure.
Dortmund eventually held on to secure their ninth consecutive Bundesliga match without defeat this season.
The victory kept them level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the table, while Elversberg remained seventh with 13 points.
Nmecha was named Man of the Match after scoring both goals and delivering an outstanding midfield performance.
Match details
• Competition: German Bundesliga
• Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
• Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
• Half-time: Borussia Dortmund 0-0 SV Elversberg
• Full-time: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 SV Elversberg
Goalscorers
• Borussia Dortmund: Felix Nmecha 55', 71'
• SV Elversberg: Noel Futkeu 81'