Bayern salvages point in dramatic Leverkusen clash

Montrell Culbreath (R) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen vies with Konrad Laimer of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern Munich played out a chaotic 1-1 draw filled with red cards, overturned goals and late drama, as the visitors held on for a point despite finishing with nine players in the 26th round on Saturday.

Leverkusen made a confident start and were rewarded early. Montrell Culbreath won possession from Luis Diaz and moved the ball to Patrik Schick, who quickly laid it off to Aleix Garcia. The Spaniard struck from inside the area and his effort, deflected by Jonathan Tah, slipped past Sven Ulreich for the opening goal in the sixth minute.

Bayern gradually established control through long spells of possession but struggled to create clear chances against Leverkusen's compact defensive structure. Nicolas Jackson fired wide early and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich safely handled another attempt. Bayern briefly thought they had equalized when Tah converted from a Joshua Kimmich delivery, yet the VAR intervened and ruled the effort out for handball.

The situation deteriorated for the visitors before halftime. Jackson arrived late in a challenge on Martin Terrier and, after a VAR review, referee Christian Dingert upgraded the decision to a red card.

Leverkusen threatened to extend their lead early in the second half as Malik Tillman and Schick both went close. Bayern also had another goal ruled out when Harry Kane's finish was disallowed for handball following a rebound.

The equalizer finally came in the 69th minute. Robert Andrich misplaced a pass in midfield, Michael Olise reacted quickly and released Luis Diaz, who kept his composure to finish past Blaswich.

Further drama followed late on when Diaz received a second yellow card for simulation, leaving Bayern with nine players. Leverkusen appeared to have secured victory in stoppage time through Jonas Hofmann, but the VAR ruled the goal out for offside.

The draw keeps Bayern clearly at the top of the Bundesliga standings with 67 points from 26 matches, nine ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund on 58, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen remains sixth on 45 points after 26 games.

"I am proud and dissatisfied at the same time. Very proud of my players and their performance. But I'm not happy that Luis Diaz will now be suspended. There was so much happening today, many important moments where there will be different opinions. Of course, that influenced the game," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund beat Augsburg 2-0 to strengthen their hold on second place. Wolfsburg ended its losing streak with a 1-1 draw against third-placed TSG Hoffenheim. Ten-man Eintracht Frankfurt edged bottom side Heidenheim 1-0, while Hamburger SV and Cologne settled for a 1-1 draw. On Friday, Borussia Monchengladbach defeated St. Pauli 2-0. ■

Players of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrate scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Bayern Munich's head coach Vincent Kompany gestures during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Patrik Schick (top) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen vies with Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Players of Bayern Munich react after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Luis Diaz (R) and Harry Kane of Bayern Munich celebrate scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Edmond Tapsoba (R) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen vies with Michael Olise of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen's head coach Kasper Hjulmand (R) gestures during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Aleix Garcia (R, front) of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates scoring with his teammate during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)

Karim Adeyemi (R) of Borussia Dortmund vies with Arthur Chaves of FC Augsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg in Dortmund, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)

Rodrigo Ribeiro (L) of FC Augsburg shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg in Dortmund, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)

Waldemar Anton (R) of Borussia Dortmund vies with Fabian Rieder of FC Augsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg in Dortmund, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)

Karim Adeyemi (L) of Borussia Dortmund vies with Arthur Chaves of FC Augsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg in Dortmund, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)

Luca Reggiani of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg in Dortmund, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)

Fabio Silva (L) of Borussia Dortmund vies with Cedric Zesiger of FC Augsburg during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Augsburg in Dortmund, Germany, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)