Bundesliga 2025-26: Leverkusen scores 3-1 comeback win in Leipzig to take third place

Bayer Leverkusen staged a comeback with two goals in four minutes to claim a 3-1 victory at RB Leipzig on Saturday, breaking their home country’s unbeaten run this season and moving up to third place at the start of the winter break.

With the Bundesliga set to resume on January 9 after this weekend’s matches, Leverkusen is on 29 points, three behind second-place Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-0 against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday.

Leader Bayern Munich, at 38, will be in action in Heidenheim on Sunday. Leipzig dropped to fourth place due to goal difference.

The hosts got off to a strong start and took the lead when Xaver Schlager pushed his shot past two defenders after a fine solo effort for a goal in the 35th minute.

READ ALSO: Dortmund player Adeyemi faces a fine for his emotional reaction to his substitution

However, Leverkusen only needed four minutes to turn the match on its head. Martin Terrier, who scored a spectacular scorpion kick last week, was on target with a looping header to equalize in the 40th.

It completed its lightning comeback in the 44th when Patrik Schick wrong-footed defender Kosta Nedeljkovic and then curled his shot past keeper Peter Gulacsi.

Leverkusen had time to create another golden opportunity on the stroke of half-time, but Nathan Tella’s shot was stopped by Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi before the ball crossed the line.

The hosts tried to come back after the break and both Conrad Harder and David Raum came close, but conceded a third goal in stoppage time through Montrell Culbreath, the first home defeat of the season after six consecutive wins.

Published on December 21, 2025