Borussia Dortmund conceded a late equalizer to draw 1-1 against Augsburg at WWK Arena to fall eight points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.
Dortmund is the only credible threat to Bayern this season for the Bundesliga crown but Thorgan Hazard’s solo effort in the 35th minute was not enough for them to put away a game Augsburg side as the hosts snatched a 78th-minute equalizer through Noah Sarenren Bazee.
Eager to arrest a run of disappointing results which included a solitary win in eight matches prior to kick-off. Dortmund were looking to bounce back from their midweek Europa League exit to Rangers but were still without the services of Erling Haaland and captain Marco Reus.
Augsburg began the brighter side, refusing to give their visitors any time on the ball. Dortmund, however, broke the deadlock through Hazard’s brilliant effort. The Belgian twisted and turned past Mads Pedersen and Felix Uduokhai before drilling a low, angled shot into the bottom corner to give Dortmund a narrow half-time lead.
Donyell Malen twice went close to adding to the scoreline in the second half but was denied expertly by Rafal Gikiewicz.
Dortmund were made to rue their missed chances as Noah Sarenren Bazee diverted Arne Maier’s bouncing shot into the back of the net after a rapid attack from the left side to add a valuable point in their relegation battle.
A Dortmund Augsburg draw means that Bundesliga giants Bayern are now 8 points clear at the apex of the table following a narrow win over Frankfurt.