Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Late Stanisic equaliser keeps unbeaten run going for Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen's Josip Stanisic scored a stoppage-time goal for the champions to rescue a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, sparing Xabi Alonso's side from suffering their first loss of the season.

Striker Niclas Fuellkrug gave Dortmund the lead in the 81st minute but Stanisic levelled for Leverkusen in the seventh minute of stoppage time, heading home a Florian Wirtz corner.

The Croatia defender helped extend the newly-crowned champions' unbeaten run in all competitions to 45 games after they secured their first Bundesliga title with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen last weekend.

"The goal we conceded hurt, but we kept going and I'm happy with our reaction," Alonso told DAZN.

"We're still waiting for our big party. Now we'll recover a bit and then prepare well for Stuttgart, which will be a very exciting game."

"We just don't want to lose. The goal was very emotional, celebrating with the fans was very nice and it means a lot to us all."

With 30 games played, Leverkusen have 80 points.

Dortmund, who on Tuesday advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid, are fifth with 57 points, two points behind fourth-placed Leipzig.

Twice towards the close of the first half, Alejandro Grimaldo had a chance to put Leverkusen ahead, but his shots went just over the bar. Then, goalie Lukas Hradecky dove to stop Marcel Sabitzer of Dortmund from close range.

Then, in the 68th minute, after Jonas Hofmann squared him the ball inside the box, Nathan Tella had a chance to put Alonso's team ahead, but Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel showed off his skills to catch the ball on the goalline.

Fuellkrug gave Dortmund the lead with a late volley inside the left post after Sabitzer had set him up with a lovely cushioned pass, with the ball going in off Hradecky's gloves.

Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface was initially given a red card for what appeared to be unsportsmanlike behaviour, but the referee reversed his decision after a VAR check as tensions between the players increased.

Grimaldo had another excellent opportunity from a free kick, sending the ball towards the upper corner, but Kobel made a stunning save to deny him. However, less than a minute later, Stanisic scored the record-saving equaliser from a corner.

SportsLigue