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Borussia Dortmund beaten by Freiburg as Wolfsburg go top of Bundesliga

Wolfsburg struck late to maintain their perfect start to the Bundesliga season

Philip O'Connor
Saturday 21 August 2021 20:02 BST
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Freiburg stunned Dortmund on Saturday afternoon
Freiburg stunned Dortmund on Saturday afternoon (Getty Images)

SC Freiburg rose to second in the Bundesliga table on Saturday thanks to a gritty 2-1 win over a Borussia Dortmund side who dominated possession but failed to convert their chances on the league’s second weekend of play.

Vincenzo Grifo rocked the visitors early, putting Freiburg ahead with a stunning free kick in the sixth minute. That shocked the visitors into action, and midfielder Jude Bellingham came closest to an equaliser in the first half, hitting the post with a header from a corner.

Despite Dortmund keeping possession for long spells, they found themselves two down eight minutes into the second half when Roland Sallai slammed the ball home from close range.

Dortmund were thrown a lifeline when midfielder Yannik Keitel steered a low cross past his own keeper in the 59th minute. But the Freiburg rearguard stood firm to repel Erling Haaland and company as they hung on to win.

Elsewhere, Wolfsburg went top of the standings by coming back from a goal down to beat Hertha Berlin 2-1, with Lukas Nmecha getting the winner in the 88th minute.

Bochum forward Simon Zoller set up a goal in each half as his side beat Mainz 2-0, and Greuther Furth came back from a goal down to grab a point against 10-man Arminia Bielefeld, while Eintracht Frankfurt and Augsburg played out a scoreless draw.

In Saturday’s late game, Bayer Leverkusen hammered Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 to move into second place on goal difference following an opening-day draw against Union Berlin.

Monchengladbach’s season had got off to a great start as they held Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw at home, but they collapsed against Leverkusen, conceding an own goal after three minutes, with Patrik Schick adding a second five minutes later. Leverkusen also missed a penalty in the 43rd minute before adding two second-half goals to complete the rout.

Hoffenheim play Union Berlin on Sunday, with Bayern Munich taking on FC Cologne in the later game.

Reuters

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