Bayer Leverkusen beats Borussia Dortmund 2-1, Wirtz scores to extend leading advantage.

### Bayer Leverkusen Beats Borussia Dortmund 2-1: Wirtz Scores to Extend Leading Advantage

In a thrilling match that captivated football fans across Europe, Bayer Leverkusen secured a hard-fought victory over Borussia Dortmund with a scoreline of 2-1. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when winger Marco Wirtz scored a stunning goal, extending Leverkusen's lead and securing their much-needed three points.

The match started on an even footing as both teams exchanged possession and looked for opportunities to break through. However, it was Leverkusen who managed to find the breakthrough first. In the 45th minute, midfielder Lucas Pellegrini delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where striker Julian Brandt tapped in from close range to give Leverkusen the early lead.

Dortmund, despite being the stronger team, struggled to create any significant chances throughout the game. Their attempts were met with solid defending from Leverkusen, particularly from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The visitors' best chance came in the 76th minute when forward Robert Lewandowski headed just wide of the target, but the Germans held firm.

As the half-time whistle blew, Leverkusen still led 1-0, and the pressure was building on Dortmund. The second half saw more of the same, with both sides exchanging possession and creating opportunities without scoring. It wasn't until the 88th minute that Leverkusen finally broke the deadlock. Wirtz, playing on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, received a ball from left-back Christian Pulisic and took a deft touch before slotting past Dortmund's goalkeeper Timo Werner to put Leverkusen up 2-0.

With the game tied at 2-2, Leverkusen had to be clinical in the final stages to secure the win. In the 99th minute, substitute defender Andreas Christensen picked up a loose ball and calmly slotted home to seal the deal. The final whistle brought relief to Leverkusen, who now have a crucial two-point advantage over Dortmund in the Bundesliga standings.

The result was a satisfying victory for Leverkusen, who will look to continue their impressive run of form against struggling teams like RB Leipzig in upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Dortmund must work hard to bounce back from this defeat and avoid further slip-ups in the league table. With the season rapidly approaching its end, these results could significantly impact their playoff chances.