Leverkusen's Late Leveler Prolongs Unbeaten Streak at Dortmund

Soccer

In a pulsating Bundesliga encounter on Sunday, newly-crowned champions Bayer Leverkusen demonstrated their championship mettle by salvaging a dramatic 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the dying moments at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund appeared set to inflict Leverkusen’s first defeat of the season when Niclas Fullkrug volleyed them ahead in the 81st minute. The German striker met Marcel Sabitzer’s deft pass with a crisp left-footed strike that flew past the despairing dive of Lukas Hradecky.

However, Xabi Alonso’s relentless Leverkusen side refused to accept defeat. Their perseverance paid dividends deep into stoppage time as Josip Stanisic rose highest to head home Florian Wirtz’s inswinging corner, sparking delirium among the traveling support.

The last-gasp equalizer extended Leverkusen’s remarkable unbeaten streak to 45 matches across all competitions this season. Their insatiable appetite for points has underpinned a charge to the Bundesliga title clinched last weekend with a 5-0 demolition of Werder Bremen.

While the visitors will rue missing out on three points, the result represented another demonstration of their never-say-die spirit. Dortmund, meanwhile, will be kicking themselves for failing to seal victory after Fullkrug’s fine opener looked to have secured a memorable scalp.

Leverkusen now have 80 points from 30 games, while Dortmund’s draw leaves them fifth with 57 points, two adrift of the Champions League places occupied by RB Leipzig.

For the neutral, the dramatic denouement capped an engrossing contest befitting two of the Bundesliga’s juggernauts. Leverkusen’s staggering consistency has already delivered the title, but Alonso will maintain standards are upheld as his history-makers target further glories.

Dortmund, rebuilding after a challenging campaign, can take heart from a spirited showing that came close to halting the champions’ juggernaut. The late disappointment will sting, but Marco Rose’s men showed they can match the best despite their lowly league position.

As the season enters its final furlong, Leverkusen remain the team to beat both home and abroad. This gritty point underlined they have no intention of surrendering their impregnable unbeaten record without an almighty fight.