Dortmund's mistakes let Leipzig draw 3-3, consolidate lead

Bundesliga leader Leipzig twice came from behind to grab a 3-3 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, aided by the home side’s mistakes.

Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Bürki, midfielder Julian Brandt and defender Raphaël Guerreiro were at fault for each of the visitors’ goals, as Dortmund missed a chance to close the gap at the top to one point.

Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi made a fingertip-save to deny Mats Hummels as Dortmund enjoyed the better start.

Dortmund's Dan-Axel Zagadou, left, and Leipzig's Timo Werner challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Julian Weigl rewarded the home side’s pressure in the 23rd after Gulacsi stopped Jadon Sancho’s initial shot. The goalkeeper seemed surprised by Weigl’s effort from the rebound.

Yussuf Poulsen had Leipzig’s first effort in the 31st, but Brandt scored Dortmund’s second goal three minutes later, eluding Dayot Upamecano before firing inside the far corner.

Bürki denied Poulsen with a fine save, then Timo Werner with another from the resultant corner before the break.

Leipzig's Patrik Schick scores his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

But a bad mistake from the Dortmund keeper allowed Werner to score at the start of the second half, and another error from Brandt allowed the Leipzig forward grab his second goal to draw the visitors level in the 53rd.

Jadon Sancho restored Dortmund’s lead two minutes later, but Patrik Schick drew Leipzig level again on a rebound in the 78th after Bürki blocked Nordi Mukiele’s initial effort.

UNION BEATEN AT HOME

Dortmund's Julian Brandt, center, is celebrated by Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, left, and Dortmund's Marco Reus, right, after he scored his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Union Berlin’s four-game winning streak at home ended with a 2-0 loss to Hoffenheim.

Union had more of the ball but failed to create clear-cut chances and Ihlas Bebou fired Hoffenheim in front with a deflected shot in the 56th.

Union pushed hard toward the end, when Oliver Baumann made a fine save to deny Sebastian Andersson, but substitute Christoph Baumgartner secured the visitors’ win in injury time. BREMEN ROUTED

Leipzig's Konrad Laimer, Leipzig's Timo Werner and Dortmund's Mats Hummels, from left, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Robin Quaison scored a hat trick to help Mainz rout Werder Bremen 5-0 away, increasing the pressure on the home side’s embattled coach, Florian Kohfeldt.

Kohfeldt’s team has lost five of its last six games and the latest defeat left the side just above the relegation zone ahead of the rest of the 15th round.

It was Bremen’s third heaviest defeat at home in the Bundesliga. The side was already 4-0 down at halftime.

Dortmund's Julian Brandt, center, is celebrated after he scored his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)

Also, Augsburg defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 3-0.

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Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP