Late own goal puts Bayern on brink of title
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E-mail Xinhua, March 17, 2013
Runaway leaders Bayern Munich wrapped up a late 2-1 win thanks to the own goal by Leverkusen's Phillip Wollscheid whereas Dortmund came from behind to inflict Freiburg a hammering 5-1 defeat, at the 26th round of the German Bundesliga on Saturday.
The Bavarians took revenge for their only defeat of the season against Leverkusen to secure the 22nd win at the 26th match, restoring their 20-point lead with 69 points on top of the standings whilst Leverkusen remain on third place with 45 points.
Bayern Munich took the reins with the start of the encounter since Leverkusen defended deep in their own territory.
Nonetheless, the German giants had problems to overcome Leverkusen's well-positioned defence. With 29 minutes into the match, Bayern approached the hosts goal dangerously as Gonzalo Castro had to scratch a header by Jerome Boateng from the goal line.
The Bundesliga leaders grabbed the lead at the 37th minute when Mario Gomez controlled a long pass by Xherdan Shaqiri, shrugging off Daniel Carvajal and Sebastian Boenisch to beat Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno.
Leverkusen staged a better figure at the second half and their efforts were rewarded when Simon Rolfes restored parity, following a flicked on corner by Boenisch, to slot home unmarked at the far post at the 75th minute.
It looked like a share of the spoils but the own goal by Wollscheid, who deflected a free kick by Bastian Schweinsteiger into his own goal, ensured a late victory for the German record champion at the 87th minute.
Dortmund netted three times within five minutes to turn the game around against Freiburg that were unable to put up some resistance.
Thus, Dortmund stay on second position with 49 points meanwhile Freiburg remain on eighth position with 36 points.
Robert Lewandowski's and Nuri Sahin's brace smoothed the way for Dortmund's 14th win of the season as substitute Lenoardo Bittencourt added a fifth goal to seal the deal.
Freiburg caught the defending champions flat footed as Jonathan Schmid broke the deadlock at the 28th minute. Max Kruse crossed from the right wing to the far post to find Schmid, who volleyed home from six meters.
Dortmund responded when they levelled the score through Robert Lewandowski at the 41st minute. Lewandowski headed home from close range following a free kick cross by Nuri Sahin.
Three minutes later Sahin himself scored to give his side a 2-1 lead after a left footed diagonal shot. The hosts were not done with the scoring at the first half as Lewandowski extended the lead to 3-1 when Freiburg were unable to clear the ball seconds before the break.
Immediately after the break Marco Reus had the chance to add another goal to the scoreboards but Freiburg keeper Oliver Baumann denied his effort.
However, Baumann was helpless when Sahin scored the fourth goal at the 73rd minute, as the visitors again were unable to clear the ball.
Five minutes later substitute Leonard Bittencourt sealed the deal ahead of time when he scored the fifth goal with his second touch of the ball.
Elsewhere, wasteful Schalke were punished 3-0 by clinical Nuremberg to suffer the ninth loss of the season.
Relegation threatened Augsburg craved out a neat 1-0 win at Hamburg.
Bremen were held to an two all draw with bottom Greuther Fuerth to remain winless at their fifth consecutive match and Mainz shared points with Hoffenheim following a goalless draw.
Already on Friday, Ivica Olic secured Wolfsburg one point against newly promoted Dusseldorf thanks to his equalizer.
The following fixtures are scheduled for Sunday: Frankfurt encounter struggling Stuttgart meanwhile Monchengladbach host Hannover.
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