Bayern snatch win with late penalty

BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski converted a 91st-minute penalty to rescue Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with a 2-1 win at Wolfsburg on Saturday which took their winning streak to 13.

With Bayern hosting Besiktas in the last 16, first leg of the Champions League on Tuesday, they rested several stars and were almost made to pay.

Daniel Didavi gave the hosts an early lead while Bayern winger Arjen Robben had a second-half penalty saved. However, Sandro Wagner headed Bayern level in the 64th minute before substitute Lewandowski hit the winning penalty in injury time.

“This will to win games, even though it does not seem to be exciting at the top (of the table), makes it fun. This team is just awesome,” said Bayern captain Thomas Mueller.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes named a weakened team with David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Mueller and Lewandowski starting on the bench.

RB Leipzig are at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga’s first Monday night kick-off, which allowed Bayer Leverkusen to move provisionally second with a 2-1 win at Hamburg.

Leon Bailey continued his stellar season by rounding Hamburg’s goalkeeper Christian Mathenia on 40 minutes. It was the 20-year-old Jamaican’s ninth league goal this season.

Leverkusen’s 18-year-old striker Kai Havertz doubled their lead after the break, finishing a move Bailey started. Hamburg forward Andre Hahn came off the bench to claim a consolation goal.

Schalke climbed to fifth with a 2-1 win at home to Hoffenheim, whose captain Kevin Vogt gave away the winning goal with a howler of an error.

With Schalke 1-0 up in Gelsenkirchen, Vogt’s lazy pass across his goal was intercepted by Breel Embolo.

With Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper out of position the Swiss striker tapped into an empty net on 28 minutes, before Andrej Kramaric headed a consolation goal for the visitors.

Bottom side Cologne remain nine points from safety as they drew 1-1 at home to Hanover.