RB Leipzig 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Sesko and Openda on target as Die Roten Bullen edge fellow top-four rivals

RB Leipzig secured only their second victory in six Bundesliga matches by defeating top-four contenders Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena, successfully overcoming their prior home losses to VfL Wolfsburg and Aston Villa.

The match nearly began perfectly for the hosts when Benjamin Sesko found the net within the first minute, only for the goal to be disallowed due to offside.

Eighteen minutes later, the striker scored by out-jumping Kevin Trapp to head the ball home after Trapp had saved Xaver Schlager’s initial attempt.

Sesko had a chance to double his tally shortly thereafter, rounding Trapp, but the German goalkeeper managed to recover and block his shot. From the ensuing corner, Trapp again intervened, this time denying Lois Openda’s half-volley with a crucial save.

For the first thirty minutes, Frankfurt struggled to assert themselves, but Hugo Larsson had an opportunity to level the score against the run of play, only for Maarten Vandevoort to deflect his side-footed attempt.

Omar Marmoush, having scored from two previous free-kicks, attempted another from a challenging angle, but was unfortunate as his shot struck the crossbar.

However, the visitors did manage to equalize before the half-time whistle, with Nathaniel Brown capitalizing on Can Uzun’s exquisite flick to unleash a powerful shot that hit the far post.

The second half began with the same intensity as the first, as Openda volleyed Leipzig back into the lead following a corner that fell favorably for him.

Just minutes later, he found himself in a one-on-one situation but shot directly at Trapp from a tight angle. Frankfurt responded and nearly equalized again when Marmoush came agonizingly close to connecting with Arthur Theate’s mis-hit shot from the edge of the area.

In the closing stages, Kevin Kampl sought to secure the win for Leipzig, but Trapp made yet another vital save, pushing the midfielder’s shot away to keep his team in contention.

The hosts secured a victory that now places them on equal points with their rivals in the league standings, whereas the Eagles suffered their seventh away loss in 11 encounters.

SportsLigue