Leipzig hands Cologne their first defeat and temporarily moves up to second place

RB Leipzig delivered a statement performance on Saturday afternoon, defeating Cologne 3-1 and handing them their first loss of the Bundesliga season.

The result, achieved at the Red Bull Arena, not only reinforced Leipzig’s strong start but also propelled them provisionally into second place in the standings after four rounds.

The match began with high intensity, as both teams looked to establish dominance in midfield. Leipzig’s aggressive pressing quickly forced Cologne into mistakes, and it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken. In the 13th minute, highly-rated teenager Assan Ouedraogo showcased his composure and technical ability, calmly finishing to give the hosts a deserved lead. The goal underlined Leipzig’s focus on nurturing young talent, a hallmark of their project in recent years.

However, Cologne responded admirably. Rather than sitting back, they pushed forward and found an equalizer just ten minutes later. Jan Thielmann latched onto a well-worked move, finishing clinically to bring the visitors level. For a brief spell, the game looked finely balanced, with both sides exchanging attacking forays and testing each other’s defenses.

Yet it was in the crucial moments before halftime that Leipzig took full control of proceedings. In the 44th minute, Brazilian forward Romulo Cardoso struck to restore the lead for the hosts. Just when Cologne hoped to regroup, Leipzig delivered a decisive blow deep into first-half stoppage time. Left-back David Raum surged forward and converted to make it 3-1 in the 45+4, sending the home fans into raptures and leaving Cologne with a mountain to climb in the second half.

That double strike effectively decided the contest, as Leipzig were able to manage the tempo after the interval. Cologne tried to mount a response, but their attacking moves lacked sharpness, and the defensive gaps exposed in the first half continued to trouble them. Leipzig, meanwhile, showed maturity by controlling possession and limiting Cologne’s opportunities, ensuring they preserved their two-goal cushion until the final whistle.

The win marked Leipzig’s third consecutive league victory, pushing them up to nine points in the table. They now sit just three points behind perennial champions Bayern Munich, who lead with a perfect 12 from four games. Leipzig’s rise is a reminder that they remain one of the strongest contenders to challenge Bayern’s dominance, particularly given their blend of youth, attacking flair, and tactical organization under coach Marco Rose.

Cologne, who had started the season with two wins and a draw, were brought back down to earth with this defeat. Still, they remain in fourth place on seven points and can take encouragement from their ability to compete for stretches of the game, despite ultimately being undone by Leipzig’s clinical finishing.

Earlier in the day, Bayern Munich once again showed their ruthless edge, securing a 4-1 away victory at Hoffenheim. England captain Harry Kane was the star of the show, delivering a stunning hat-trick. His first goal came in the 44th minute, a poacher’s strike to close the first half. He then added two more from the penalty spot in the 48th and 77th minutes, showing calmness and precision. Serge Gnabry completed the scoring with a stoppage-time goal in the 90+9, leaving Hoffenheim with little to take away from the game.

Kane’s performance further emphasized his seamless adaptation to German football. With eight goals in just four Bundesliga matches, plus three assists, he has not only justified Bayern’s massive investment but also established himself as the league’s most dangerous forward. His closest challenger in the scoring charts is Dortmund’s Guirassy with four goals, underlining Kane’s dominance at this early stage.

Elsewhere, Hamburg managed their first league win of the season, defeating Heidenheim 2-1 at home. Portuguese midfielder Fábio Vieira, handed a starting role, made his mark by assisting Rayan Philippe’s decisive goal in the 59th minute. Earlier, Vuskovic had opened the scoring in the 42nd, before Heidenheim briefly threatened a comeback. Balde also featured, coming off the bench in the 74th minute to help Hamburg secure the three points.

The round also brought heavy defeats for other sides. Werder Bremen suffered a humbling 3-0 loss at home to Freiburg, exposing worrying defensive frailties. Augsburg endured an even more disappointing evening, falling 4-1 at home to Mainz despite playing against ten men from the 53rd minute onward. These results highlight the unpredictable and competitive nature of the Bundesliga, where momentum can shift dramatically from week to week.

Looking ahead, Sunday’s fixtures bring further intrigue. Bayer Leverkusen, who face Benfica in the Champions League group stage, will host Borussia Moenchengladbach. Leverkusen have made a promising start domestically, and this clash will serve as another test of their credentials as genuine challengers both in Germany and in Europe.

The Bundesliga table is already beginning to take shape, with Bayern and Leipzig setting the early pace. While Dortmund and Leverkusen are yet to play this weekend, the stage is being set for another thrilling title race in Germany one where Leipzig’s victory over Cologne could prove an important marker of their ambitions.