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RECAP: Fast Goals From Openda Leads Leipzig to 3-1 Win

photo via Getty Images

by Anthony J. Merced

RB Leipzig defeat Darmstadt 3-1 at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor off the back of the fastest Bundesliga goal of the season from Lois Openda in the first minute of the game. Openda continued his goal scoring to enter the top ten in the Golden Boot race in Germany with a second that sealed the game away in the second half.

Openda found the back of the net just after kickoff when defender Benjamin Henrichs stripped the ball from the opposition and found the Leipzig striker in front of goal. Later in the half, a free kick from Emil Forsberg doubled the lead, giving the reigning German Cup champions the confidence to win the game. However, the team took their foot off the gas just before halftime as a foul from Kevin Kampl gave Darmstadt the lifeline with a penalty opportunity. Tobias Kempe converted, setting the stage for a tense second half.

Leipzig opened the second half pressing for the third goal and eventually found it in the 73rd minute. At first, the linesman raised his flag to indicate and off-side after Openda turned off the back of the defender to score once again. The goals was reviewed by VAR and the decision overturned to restore Leipzig's two-goal advantage.

From there manager Marco Rose pushed for a fourth with substitute Timo Werner earning a one-on-one opportunity at goal. Great goalkeeping from the Darmstadt keeper kept his team in the game and Werner off the scoreboard.

Leipzig's win pushes them in a tie for fourth place with Bayern Munich on 17 points. They still remain five points off of league-leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Next will be a Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade at Red Bull Arena in midweek.

STARTING XI:

RB Leipzig: Blaswich; Henrichs (62' Klostermann), Simakan, Lukeba, Raum, Haidara (62' Seiwald), Kampl, Forsberg (62' Baumgartner), Simons (80' Olmo), Openda (80' Werner), Poulsen

SV Darmstadt 98: Schuhen; Klarer (64' Gjasula), Muller, Maglica, Skarke, Kempe, Holland (58' Schnellhardt), Nurnberger, Mehlem, Pfeiffer (64' Hornby), Vilhelmsson (64' Honsak)

SCORING SUMMARY:
1' (RB Leipzig) Lois Openda assisted by Benjamin Henrichs
24' (RB Leipzig) Emil Forsberg - free kick
32' (SV Darmstadt 98) Tobias Kempe - penalty kick
73' (RB Leipzig) Lois Openda unassisted

DISCIPLINE:
47' (SV Darmstadt 98) Fabian Holland - YELLOW CARD
49' (SV Darmstadt 98) Christoph Klarer - YELLOW CARD
60' (SV Darmstadt 98) Fabian Nurnberger - YELLOW CARD
63' (RB Leipzig) David Raum - YELLOW CARD
67' (SV Darmstadt 98) Tim Sharke - YELLOW CARD
68' (SV Darmstadt 98) Matej Maglica - YELLOW CARD
68' (RB Leipzig) Lois Openda - YELLOW CARD
71' (SV Darmstadt 98) Jannik Muller - YELLOW CARD
79' (RB Leipzig) Kevin Kampl - YELLOW CARD

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