Silva’s stoppage-time heroics deny Leipzig after Baumgartner brace | OneFootball

A match Leipzig largely controlled for long periods ended in heartbreak for the hosts, as Fabio Silva scored in the final minutes to rescue a 2–2 draw for Borussia Dortmund. After exploiting Dortmund’s defensive weakness to build a two-goal lead, Leipzig were punished for missed chances and a late lapse in concentration.

Here is our full match report:

Match report:

RB Leipzig laid the foundations for victory with a dominant opening 15 minutes, overwhelming Borussia Dortmund through intensity, precision, and a clearly targeted tactical approach.

From the outset, Leipzig looked sharper and more dangerous in possession, repeatedly exploiting space down the left flank. Their breakthrough came through a perfectly executed counterattack: After winning the ball and transitioning quickly, Leipzig surged forward, and Christoph Baumgartner finished clinically to score his ninth goal of the Bundesliga campaign in the 20th minute.

The pattern of Leipzig’s attacks soon became unmistakable. Again and again, they broke through Dortmund’s vulnerable right side, with overlapping runs and precise deliveries into central areas. The second goal followed an almost identical blueprint: another incisive move down the left found Baumgartner unmarked in the middle, and he calmly slotted home to double Leipzig’s advantage in the 39th minute.

Leipzig had clearly identified a structural weakness in Dortmund’s defensive setup - the same avenue that had already yielded (some) success against Bayern Munich earlier this season. Dortmund, meanwhile, offered little attacking threat before halftime, struggling to establish rhythm or penetration.

Dortmund respond, but Leipzig remain in control

The match took an unexpected turn shortly after the restart: Dortmund, largely ineffective in the first half, pulled a goal back in the 49th minute through a now familiar set-piece routine. Julian Ryerson delivered the corner, Ramy Bensebaini won the header and Leipzig's Rômulo was struck by the ball - it deflected into his own net to make it 2-1.

For a brief period, Dortmund appeared energized, but the momentum quickly faded. The following 15 minutes produced few clear chances, as Leipzig regained composure and controlled the tempo.

One constant attacking outlet for Leipzig was Yan Diomande, who proved a persistent threat throughout. The winger repeatedly beat defenders with confident dribbling, though his decision-making in front of goal occasionally let him down.

Leipzig should have restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute after another outstanding individual move from Diomande. His assist set up Ridle Baku, who dribbled past Gregor Kobel and aimed for the empty net, only for two Dortmund defenders to produce desperate goal-line clearances to keep their side alive.

Late push falls short - or does it?

As the final phase approached, Dortmund pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Their more aggressive positioning, however, left them vulnerable to Leipzig’s counterattacks.

Substitute Fabio Silva injected much-needed energy into Dortmund’s attacking play after replacing the on this night ineffective Serhou Guirassy, but Leipzig’s defensive organization held firm.

Just before the game came to an end, Leipzig pushed for the third goal - maybe a bit too much: Dortmund, in what must have been their first counter attack of the game, found space on the right hand side due to a clever pass from Julian Brandt. Karim Adeyemi then crossed the ball to the earlier mentioned Fabio Silva who slotted it home to at least get a draw for Dortmund!

Even though the guests lost two points in the title race with Bayern Munich, their last minute success against Leipzig will give them a lot of motivation for next week's Klassiker against the Rekordmeister. Full time: RB Leipzig 2-2 Borussia Dortmund.