Berlin, Mar 17 (IANS): Runaway leaders Bayern Munich wrapped up a late 2-1 win thanks to an own goal by Leverkusen's Phillip Wollscheid while Dortmund came from behind to inflict a 5-1 hammering on Freiburg in the 26th round of the German football league, Bundesliga.
The Bavarians took revenge for their only defeat of the season against Leverkusen to secure the 22nd win, restoring their 20-point lead with 69 points on top of the standings whilst Leverkusen remain in third with 45 points, reports Xinhua.
Bayern Munich took the reins with the start of the encounter Saturday 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 goalline.
The Bundesliga leaders grabbed the lead in 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 second half and their efforts were rewarded when Simon Rolfes restored parity to slot home unmarked at the far post (75th minute).
It looked like a share of 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 in 87th minute.
Dortmund netted three times within five minutes to turn the game around against Freiburg, who were unable to put up any resistance. Thus, Dortmund stay on second position with 49 points while Freiburg remain on eighth with 36.
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 in the 28th minute. Max Kruse crossed from the right wing to the far post to find Schmid, who volleyed home from six metres. Dortmund levelled through Lewandowski in the 41st minute. Lewandowski headed home from close range following a free-kick cross by Sahin.
Three minutes later Sahin himself scored to give his side a 2-1 lead. The hosts were not done with the scoring in 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 scoreboard but Freiburg keeper Oliver Baumann denied his effort. However, Baumann was helpless when Sahin scored the fourth goal (73rd), as the visitors were again unable to clear the ball.
Five minutes later Bittencourt sealed the deal ahead of time when he scored the fifth goal with his second touch.
Elsewhere, wasteful Schalke were punished 0-3 by clinical Nuremberg to suffer the ninth loss of the season while relegation threatened Augsburg carved out a 1-0 win at Hamburg.
Bremen were held to a 2-all draw with bottom placed Greuther Fuerth to remain winless and Mainz shared points with Hoffenheim following a goalless draw.