Bayern Munich returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Elversberg, while RB Leipzig thrashed Hamburg 5-0 in the Bundesliga.
Bayern return to winning ways as Leipzig put five past Hamburg
Bayern Munich returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga on Sunday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Elversberg, ending the impressive start made by the newly promoted side and moving the defending champions back towards the leading positions in the table. Harry Kane once again proved decisive for the Bavarians, scoring the winning goal in the second half after Maurice Krattenmacher had cancelled out an opener from highly rated youngster Lennart Karl.
The result was an important response from Bayern after they had dropped points in the previous round. Having started the campaign among the favourites to retain their domestic crown, the two-time defending champions could not afford another setback with Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund already setting the pace at the top of the standings. The victory moved Bayern onto seven points from their opening three matches, level with Augsburg and two behind the two teams who have maintained perfect records.
Elversberg entered the match as one of the early surprises of the Bundesliga season. Two victories from their opening two games had given them six points and the opportunity to continue an outstanding start against the reigning champions. They ultimately suffered their first defeat, but Bayern were made to work for the three points and did not secure the victory until Kane struck in the 72nd minute.
Lennart Karl gives Bayern first-half lead
Bayern opened the scoring after 26 minutes through Lennart Karl, with the young attacker continuing to make his presence felt in the first team. His goal put the visitors in control of the scoreline and appeared to have Bayern on course for a relatively straightforward response to the draw they had recorded in the previous round.
Elversberg, however, had already demonstrated during the opening weeks that their positive start was no accident. Rather than retreating after falling behind, the hosts remained competitive and ensured Bayern were unable to turn their early advantage into a comfortable afternoon.
The narrow scoreline kept Elversberg in the match throughout the first half and into the second. Bayern had the lead, but the home side remained within one goal and knew that a single successful attacking move could completely change the contest.
That moment arrived shortly after the hour mark. Maurice Krattenmacher scored in the 61st minute to bring Elversberg level at 1-1 and reward the hosts for remaining in the game.
Elversberg threaten another Bundesliga surprise
The equaliser briefly raised the possibility of another notable result for Elversberg, whose first two matches had already placed them among the early leaders. Taking something against Bayern would have extended their unbeaten start and reinforced their position near the top of the table.
For Bayern, the goal created a very different situation. The defending champions had already dropped points in their previous league match and suddenly found themselves facing the prospect of a second consecutive Bundesliga game without a victory.
With Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund winning their first three fixtures, another draw would have allowed the early gap to the leaders to grow. Bayern therefore needed a response, and it arrived through the player they have repeatedly relied upon for decisive goals.
Harry Kane restored the visitors lead in the 72nd minute, scoring what proved to be the winning goal. The England striker made it 2-1 and Bayern successfully protected that advantage through the remainder of the match.
Kane decides another important match
Kane goal came at a crucial stage. Elversberg had been level for only 11 minutes, but their momentum was immediately interrupted by Bayern main striker. Instead of allowing the hosts to build on the equaliser, the Bavarians quickly re-established control of the scoreline.
The goal also ensured that Bayern did not lose further ground in the early title race. Seven points from three matches represents a solid start, even if the champions are already chasing two clubs with perfect records.
The victory moved Bayern into fourth place, level on seven points with third-placed Augsburg. Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund remain two points ahead after taking maximum points from their opening three league fixtures.
At such an early stage of the campaign, the gaps remain small, but Bayern will know that avoiding unnecessary dropped points is particularly important while their rivals continue winning. The response at Elversberg therefore mattered not only because of the three points but because it prevented last week draw from developing into a longer winless run.
First defeat for Elversberg after impressive opening
For Elversberg, the 2-1 defeat was their first setback of the season. Two consecutive victories had given them an exceptional start, and even after losing to Bayern they remain well positioned in the table.
The hosts drop to sixth with six points, only one behind Bayern and Augsburg and three behind leaders Freiburg and Dortmund. Their position reflects how competitive they have been during the opening rounds.
There will also be positives to take from the performance against the champions. Elversberg recovered after falling behind and were level with less than 20 minutes remaining, forcing Bayern to find another decisive moment rather than allowing the visitors to cruise to victory.
Krattenmacher goal provided further evidence that Elversberg can create problems for established Bundesliga opposition. Their challenge now will be responding to a first defeat and ensuring that the strong opening two rounds become the foundation for a consistent campaign rather than an isolated early run.
Leipzig dismantle Hamburg with five-goal display
RB Leipzig also enjoyed a successful Sunday and produced one of the most emphatic results of the Bundesliga weekend, beating Hamburg 5-0 at home to move onto six points.
Leipzig took control during the first half and never allowed Hamburg to seriously threaten a comeback. Tidiam Gomis opened the scoring in the 17th minute, putting the hosts ahead relatively early and setting the tone for what would become a difficult afternoon for the visitors.
Antonio Nusa doubled the advantage in the 28th minute, meaning Leipzig were already 2-0 ahead with more than an hour still to play. Hamburg needed a significant response after the interval, but instead the match became even more one-sided during the closing stages.
Leipzig scored three times in just five minutes late in the second half to turn a comfortable victory into a rout.
Three late goals complete Hamburg collapse
Willi Orban scored Leipzig third goal in the 72nd minute, effectively ending any remaining hope Hamburg had of recovering. Only two minutes later, Christopher Nkunku added the fourth before Rômulo made it 5-0 in the 77th minute.
The rapid sequence of goals transformed the scoreline and underlined Leipzig superiority. A match they had already controlled at 2-0 became a heavy defeat for a Hamburg side that has endured an extremely difficult return to the Bundesliga.
Leipzig now have six points and sit fifth, level with Elversberg but above them in the standings. The five-goal victory also provides a significant boost after the opening rounds and gives the team momentum as they attempt to remain close to the early leaders.
The distribution of the goals will also be encouraging, with five different players finding the net. Gomis and Nusa established the advantage in the first half before Orban, Nkunku and Rômulo completed the scoring after the break.
Hamburg still waiting for first point and first goal
Hamburg situation is considerably more concerning. Three matches into the season, they have lost all three, remain without a point and have yet to score a single Bundesliga goal.
Portuguese goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes started the match for Hamburg and endured a difficult afternoon as Leipzig repeatedly found a way through during the second half. Midfielder Fábio Vieira was introduced from the bench but was unable to alter the direction of the game.
The 5-0 defeat leaves Hamburg with several problems to address. Not only have they failed to collect a point, but their inability to score across the opening three rounds means they have yet to create any real momentum since returning to the division.
The scale of the Leipzig defeat will increase the pressure heading into their next fixture. Losing narrowly while adapting to the Bundesliga would be one thing, but conceding five without scoring highlights the size of the challenge currently facing the team.
Hamburg will need to improve at both ends of the pitch. Their defensive problems were obvious in Leipzig, particularly during the five-minute period when three goals were conceded, while the absence of any league goals remains equally significant.
Bayern stay close to perfect Freiburg and Dortmund
At the other end of the table, Bayern victory ensures that the champions remain firmly in contact with the teams above them. Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund have both collected nine points from nine, making them the only clubs to maintain perfect starts through the first three rounds.
Augsburg sit third with seven points, level with Bayern, while Leipzig and Elversberg follow on six. With only three rounds played, the standings remain compressed and a single result can still dramatically alter the order.
For Bayern, however, there is already an obvious objective: avoid allowing Freiburg or Dortmund to build a meaningful early advantage. The draw in the previous round had opened the door slightly, so the response against Elversberg was essential.
The champions did not produce an overwhelming victory, but they found a way to win after being pegged back. In a long title race, those matches can prove just as valuable as the more comfortable victories.
Karl and Kane deliver at opposite ends of Bayern experience
The identity of Bayern two goalscorers also provided an interesting contrast. Lennart Karl represents the younger generation attempting to establish itself within the first team, while Kane remains one of the most experienced and reliable attacking figures in the squad.
Karl goal after 26 minutes gave Bayern the platform they needed, while Kane intervention after Elversberg equaliser prevented the match from slipping away.
The combination of emerging talent and established quality proved decisive. Bayern needed both to overcome a home side that had begun the season with confidence and had already demonstrated that it could compete at Bundesliga level.
For Karl, scoring in another important league fixture strengthens his case for continued involvement. For Kane, the winning goal was another example of why Bayern rely so heavily on his ability to deliver when matches become tight.
Very different moods for Leipzig and Hamburg
The contrast between Leipzig and Hamburg could hardly have been greater at the final whistle. Leipzig moved onto six points after producing their biggest victory of the young campaign, while Hamburg were left reflecting on a third consecutive defeat.
Leipzig will take confidence not only from the result but from the manner in which the goals were shared throughout the side. Five different scorers and a clean sheet made it a complete performance on the scoreboard.
Hamburg, meanwhile, remain at the opposite end of the early standings and urgently require a positive result. Three defeats and no goals scored represents a difficult beginning by any measure, and the challenge will be preventing confidence from declining further.
The presence of Daniel Fernandes and Fábio Vieira gave the match additional Portuguese interest, but neither was able to prevent Leipzig from turning the second half into a rout.
Bayern back on track after difficult afternoon
Sunday ultimately ended positively for Bayern, even if the champions were pushed much harder than the final standings might have suggested before kick-off. Elversberg entered with maximum points and demonstrated why, recovering from Karl opener and forcing Bayern to produce a second goal.
Kane delivered it in the 72nd minute, restoring the lead and allowing the Bavarians to leave with all three points. The 2-1 victory means Bayern have seven from nine and remain just two points behind Freiburg and Dortmund.
Elversberg suffered their first defeat but remain sixth after what has still been a highly impressive opening to the season. Leipzig, meanwhile, are immediately above them following their 5-0 demolition of Hamburg.
The latest Bundesliga results therefore produced very different stories. Bayern returned to winning ways and stayed in touch with the leaders, Elversberg finally experienced defeat after their perfect start, Leipzig delivered a five-goal statement at home and Hamburg difficult opening continued with another loss and another match without scoring.
With only three rounds completed, there is still a long way to go, but Freiburg and Dortmund have already set the standard with perfect records. Bayern are chasing closely behind, while Leipzig have moved back into contention after their emphatic victory. Hamburg, by contrast, face an urgent search for both their first point and their first goal of the new Bundesliga campaign.
