Bayer Leverkusen handed Borussia Dortmund their first home league defeat of the season, racing to a 3-2 victory with three goals in the opening 18 minutes. The result brought Leverkusen within a point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
The match, delayed 15 minutes due to traffic congestion, began disastrously for Dortmund. Just 25 seconds in, Nathan Tella capitalized on a defensive error, firing a stunning volley past Gregor Kobel. Patrik Schick doubled the lead soon after, sliding in to finish Piero Hincapié’s precise cross. Despite a depleted squad, Dortmund responded through Jamie Gittens, who skillfully chipped Lukas Hradecky from a tight angle to pull one back.
Leverkusen quickly reasserted their dominance as Schick struck again, finishing another low cross to restore their two-goal cushion. Hradecky then kept Leverkusen ahead with key saves from Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi.
The second half was less chaotic, but a late penalty converted by Guirassy after Edmond Tapsoba fouled Julien Duranville gave Dortmund hope. Despite a spirited late push from the hosts, Leverkusen held firm to secure their sixth consecutive league win, becoming the first Bundesliga side this season to do so.
