Bayer Leverkusen hosted Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena in an exciting Bundesliga clash, which ended in a 4-2 victory for Dortmund. This match marked Ricardo Sá Pinto’s final appearance as Leverkusen’s coach at the BayArena, ending in a heavy defeat. With this result, Leverkusen remained in second place with 68 points, while Dortmund moved to 54 points, keeping their Champions League hopes alive.

The game started with Leverkusen’s relentless attacks. In the 3rd minute, Grimaldo set up Florian Wirtz for a shot, but his left-footed effort went wide. A minute later, Wirtz cut in from the right and tested Gregor Kobel, who saved comfortably. Leverkusen won another corner in the 7th minute, but Niklas Süle cleared the danger. In the 11th minute, Adli and Grimaldo combined down the left, but Kobel denied Robert Andrich’s powerful shot.

Dortmund, who had been defensive until the 30th minute, resisted Leverkusen’s pressure. In the 17th minute, Grimaldo’s short corner found a teammate in the box, but Kobel collected the ball before Adli could reach it. In the 19th minute, Leverkusen were awarded a penalty after Bensebaini fouled Grimaldo, but VAR overturned the decision as Bensebaini got the ball first.

After continuous attacks, Leverkusen finally scored in the 31st minute. Jeremie Frimpong combined with Wirtz and curled a precise shot into the top-left corner to make it 1-0. However, Dortmund equalized in the 33rd minute when Julian Brandt finished off Karim Adeyemi’s cross with a left-footed volley from eight yards out.

The game reached its peak in the closing stages of the first half. In the 40th minute, Adli’s cross found Tella, but Kobel saved his volley. A minute later, Tella missed another chance from close range. In the 43rd minute, Dortmund took the lead when Bensebaini won the ball and set up Julian Ryerson, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Leverkusen had two more chances before halftime, but Wirtz’s shot was blocked, and Adli’s header hit the crossbar.

Dortmund made a key substitution at the start of the second half, bringing on Marcel Sabitzer for Felix Nmecha. Leverkusen continued with the same lineup but struggled to break down Dortmund’s deep defense. In the 52nd minute, Frimpong’s shot was blocked, and Wirtz’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Ryerson. A minute later, Dortmund launched a counterattack, but Adeyemi failed to reach Alexander Isak’s cross.

Leverkusen found it harder to create chances in the second half. In the 58th minute, Anton’s mistake gifted Frimpong a chance, but Bensebaini’s tackle denied him. Sá Pinto made a double substitution in the 59th minute, bringing on Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick to strengthen the attack.

Dortmund extended their lead in the 73rd minute. Sabitzer pressed high to win the ball, and Brandt set up Adeyemi, who fired a powerful left-footed shot into the net. Just three minutes later, Dortmund made it 4-1. After winning the ball high up the pitch, Emre Can found Giovanni Reyna, who curled a shot into the bottom corner.

Sá Pinto reacted with two more substitutions in the 78th minute, introducing Arthur and Alex Garcia. In the 80th minute, Leverkusen won a corner, but Grimaldo’s delivery was cleared. Dortmund, buoyed by the scoreline, controlled the game comfortably, while Leverkusen pushed for a consolation goal. In stoppage time, Hofmann headed in Wirtz’s cross to make it 4-2, but it was too little too late.

The final whistle confirmed a heavy defeat for Sá Pinto in his last home game as Leverkusen coach, with Edin Terzić’s Dortmund securing a convincing victory.

Goal Descriptions

Leverkusen 1-0 Dortmund

Frimpong combined with Wirtz on the right and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner, leaving Kobel no chance.

Leverkusen 1-1 Dortmund

Adeyemi burst down the right and squared for Brandt, who volleyed home with his left foot.

Leverkusen 1-2 Dortmund

Bensebaini won the ball and set up Ryerson, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Leverkusen 1-3 Dortmund

Sabitzer pressed high to win the ball, and Brandt teed up Adeyemi for a powerful left-footed finish.

Leverkusen 1-4 Dortmund

Can won the ball back and found Reyna, who curled a precise shot into the bottom corner.

Leverkusen 2-4 Dortmund

Hofmann headed in Wirtz’s cross to pull one back for Leverkusen.