Xavi Simons scored twice as RB Leipzig held off a second-half fightback from VfL Wolfsburg to secure a crucial 3-2 away victory in the Bundesliga’s Friday night fixture, April 11th. Loรฏs Openda also found the net for Leipzig, who were made to sweat after initially racing into a 3-0 lead.
The match marked a reunion between Wolfsburg coach Ralph Hasenhรผttl and Leipzig interim coach Zsolt Lรถw, who previously worked as Hasenhรผttl’s assistant at the club. Leipzig, under Lรถw following Marco Rose’s dismissal last weekend, started brightly.
Loรฏs Openda opened the scoring in the 11th minute, firing a powerful shot from 24 meters past goalkeeper Kamil Grabara after capitalizing on a Wolfsburg error. Xavi Simons doubled the lead in the 26th minute with a fine curling effort from the edge of the box. Wolfsburg were unlucky not to respond before the break, with Bence Dardai hitting the post and Jakub Kamiลski striking the crossbar.
Leipzig extended their lead four minutes into the second half when Xavi clinically finished again to make it 3-0.
However, Wolfsburg mounted a spirited comeback. Kilian Fischer scored his first ever Bundesliga goal in the 58th minute with a well-placed shot from outside the box. Andreas Skov Olsen then made it 3-2 in the 75th minute, assisted by Joakim Mรฆhle, setting up a tense finale.
Wolfsburg pushed hard for an equalizer, with Yannick Gerhardt forcing a spectacular late save from Leipzig goalkeeper Pรฉter Gulรกcsi. Leipzig, despite looking comfortable earlier, managed to hold on for the vital three points.
Xavi Simons was the standout performer, with his two goals proving decisive. The victory boosts Leipzig’s push for European qualification.
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