Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen secure a dramatic victory with a late goal to defeat Leipzig 3-2
Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen have come from behind to claim a 3-2 late win at RB Leipzig, securing a seven-point advantage over champions Bayern Munich, who play Werder Bremen on Sunday.
- Sports
- Reuters
- Published Date: 10:59 | 20 January 2024
- Modified Date: 10:59 | 20 January 2024
Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen twice came from a goal down and then bagged a second half stoppage time winner through Piero Hincapie to snatch a 3-2 win at RB Leipzig on Saturday and remain unbeaten in the league this season.
Xabi Alonso's team are now on 48 points from 18 games, with second-placed Bayern Munich, who play Werder Bremen on Sunday, on 41 from 16 matches.
Leipzig completely overran the visitors early in the first half and had missed two golden chances by the time they took a seventh minute lead with Xavi Simons' superb goal after he twice controlled the ball in the air and then turned on the spot to beat keeper Lukas Hradecky.
Leverkusen were nowhere to be seen in the first half and also had Jeremie Frimpong taken off injured after half an hour.
But they shot out of the blocks after the break, equalising in the 47th through Nathan Tella after being left completely unmarked at the far post and tapping in an Alejandro Grimaldo cutback.
They came close with Florian Wirtz a little later but Leipzig went back in front against the run of play with a textbook break and a one-touch finish from their top scorer Lois Openda in the 56th.
That, however, only lasted seven minutes as the visitors drew level once more with Jonathan Tah rising high at the far post to head in a curling Jonas Hofmann corner.
The visitors' sensational comeback was complete in stoppage time when Hincapie shook off his marker and slid in at the far post to connect with Grimaldo's corner.