Bayer Leverkusen secured their first league victory of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in Cologne on Sunday.
The match was a closely contested affair from start to finish, with both teams creating numerous opportunities for goals. However, it was Bayer Leverkusen who ultimately emerged victorious thanks to a late goal from striker Thomas Wirtz.
In the opening half-hour, Leverkusen dominated possession and were rewarded when goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller made an outstanding save to deny Dortmund's Thomas Müller. The German forward had a chance to break the deadlock, but his shot was blocked by Leverkusen's defenders.
As the game progressed, Leverkusen continued to press high up the pitch, looking to create more chances. They finally found the breakthrough when substitute midfielder Christian Pulisic played a one-two with Thomas Lemieux, before cutting inside and slotting home into the bottom corner from 18 yards out.
Dortmund were forced to regroup and counterattack, but they struggled to find a way through Leverkusen's defense. The German side maintained pressure throughout the second half, but it was not until the final minutes that they finally broke the deadlock.
On 95 minutes, Dortmund's Jürgen Klopp substituted midfielder Mats Hummels for striker Marco Reus. It seemed like the Germans might have a chance to level the score, but Leverkusen held firm.
However, just as Dortmund began to tire under the pressure, Leverkusen's Thomas Wirtz stepped up to take advantage. The Brazilian winger took a touch, then rifled a low right-footed shot past Dortmund's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to secure the win.
With the win, Leverkusen moved up to sixth place in the Bundesliga table, while Dortmund dropped to seventh. The result also ended Dortmund's unbeaten run in the league, which had seen them go 14 matches without losing.
Overall, the match was a testament to the resilience and determination of both teams, with Leverkusen emerging victorious in the end. With this win, Leverkusen continue to build momentum for the rest of the season, while Dortmund will need to work hard to bounce back from their disappointing performance.