RB Leipzig ascended to second place in the German Bundesliga on Saturday after securing a challenging 3-1 victory over Stuttgart. The win pushed Leipzig within two points of league leaders Bayern Munich, who were scheduled to play later in the day. Stuttgart’s loss meant they missed an opportunity to also climb into second.
Leipzig opened the scoring just before halftime with an own goal in the 45th minute, as Stuttgart’s Jeff Chabot inadvertently deflected a cross into his own net.
Eighteen-year-old Ivorian Yan Diomande then doubled Leipzig’s lead in the 53rd minute, driving into the box and firing home to make it 2-0.
Portuguese international Tiago Tomás narrowed the deficit for Stuttgart in the 65th minute. He beat a defender and the goalkeeper before scoring to bring the score to 2-1.
However, Stuttgart’s hopes were dashed in stoppage time when goalkeeper Alexander Nübel made a critical error. Brazilian Rómulo Cardoso capitalized on the mistake, stealing the ball and netting Leipzig’s third goal for the final 3-1 scoreline.
With this result, Leipzig now has 22 points. Bayern Munich, the current leader, has 24 points. Borussia Dortmund sits in third place with 20 points, while Stuttgart remains fourth with 18.
In other Bundesliga action, Union Berlin, featuring Portuguese defender Diogo Leite, played to a goalless draw at home against Freiburg. Union Berlin now occupies 10th place with 11 points.
Heidenheim took an early lead against Eintracht Frankfurt through Budu Zivzivadze. Eintracht Frankfurt later equalized with a goal from Rasmus Kristensen, securing a draw that leaves them in sixth place with 14 points.
Mainz, currently at the bottom of the table with five points, drew 1-1 with Werder Bremen. Silvan Widmer scored for Mainz, but Jens Stage equalized for Bremen late in the match.
Borussia Mönchengladbach, who started the matchday in last position, secured their first victory with a dominant 4-0 away win against St. Pauli. Haris Tabakovic scored twice, while Shuto Machino and Oscar Fraulo added goals, moving Mönchengladbach to six points and out of the last spot.