Oliver Burke helps Union Berlin to victory over high-flying RB Leipzig

Oliver Burke was among four different second-half scorers as Union Berlin overcame RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga Matchday 14 opener.

Union Berlin 3-1 RB Leipzig 
Goals: 1-0 Burke 57' (assist: Jeong), 1-1 Gomis 60' (assist: Harder), 2-1 Ansah 64' (assist: Trimmel), 3-1 Skarke 90'+3 (assist: Ilić)

Two teams with contrasting recent fortunes met at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, with hosts Union looking to recover from three consecutive competitive defeats that had left them just four points clear of the relegation zone. Leipzig, meanwhile, arrived in the capital in excellent form, sitting second in the table after winning nine of their opening 13 Bundesliga matches, including a resounding 6-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in their previous outing.

Both sides started with intensity, with Leipzig dominating possession while the hosts looked to counter. The first clear chance fell to Wooyeong Jeong who fired over from distance. As the half progressed, the visitors began to assert themselves with 19-year-old Yan Diomande their most threatening player. The Ivorian forward, who had scored a hat-trick against Frankfurt the previous weekend, dribbled past several Union defenders in the 17th minute before forcing a fine save from Frederik Rønnow. From the resulting corner, Christoph Baumgartner headed goalward, but was again denied by the Danish goalkeeper.

Despite Leipzig controlling 59% of possession and completing far more passes than the hosts, neither side could break the deadlock before half-time, with Janik Haberer narrowly missing with a header from Derrick Köhn's cross in stoppage time.

Yan Diomande, wearing a protective mask, was Leipzig's most dangerous player in the first half but couldn't find a way past Frederik Rønnow. - ODD ANDERSEN

Goals galore

The second half burst into life just before the hour mark when Burke gave Union the lead with a superb finish. After the hosts won possession high up the pitch, Jeong slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Burke's path on the right side of the area, and the Scottish forward curled a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner past Péter Gulácsi.

The lead lasted just three minutes, however, as Leipzig substitute Tidiam Gomis made an immediate impact. Having replaced Bakayoko in the 58th minute, the young Frenchman received a pass from Conrad Harder, took a touch to set himself and fired a powerful right-footed shot into the net.

But Union were not to be denied, and regained the lead just four minutes later through Ilyas Ansah. Christopher Trimmel, another substitute who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, delivered a perfect cross from the right, and Ansah rose highest to head home from close range.

Union Berlin players celebrate after Oliver Burke's superb curling effort gave them the lead. - Boris Streubel

Skarke seals it

After the frantic period that saw three goals in seven minutes, Leipzig pushed forward in search of another equaliser but struggled to create clear opportunities against a resolute Union defence.

The hosts, buoyed by their lead, defended with determination while looking dangerous on the counter-attack. András Schäfer tested Gulácsi with a powerful drive in the 83rd minute, before Tim Skarke, who had replaced goalscorer Ansah five minutes earlier, saw his shot from a tight angle saved. 

The victory was secured in the third minute of stoppage time when Skarke finished clinically after being set up by Andrej Ilić and Schäfer following a swift counter-attack.

The win ends Union's poor run and moves them further away from danger, while Leipzig's title ambitions suffer a setback with just their third away defeat of the campaign.

Four of Ilyas Ansah's five Bundesliga goals have fallen at Union's Alten Försterei. - Boris Streubel

Man of the Match: Ilyas Ansah

Ansah scored at a crucial time in the game to give Union the lead for the second time. 

The German forward took his chance really well, punctuating an industrious showing in the Union attack. It was his fifth Bundesliga goal of the campaign, and first since 21 September 2025.

He garnered 41% of the fan vote on the Official Bundesliga app, topping the poll ahead of the likes of Burke and Trimmel.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Union Berlin 1.69 - RB Leipzig 0.5
Fastest player: Oliver Burke (Union), 34.92 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Tidiam Gomis (Leipzig), 5.74 percent
Most pressed player: Yan Diomande (Leipzig), 37 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Oliver Burke (Union), +3.08

Fantasy Heroes: Leopold Querfeld (Union Berlin, 247 Points), Oliver Burke (Union Berlin, 223 Points), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig, 308 Points)

About the clubs

1. FC Union Berlin

An der Alten Försterei

RB Leipzig

Red Bull Arena