Duesseldorf stuns Dortmund 2-1 as leaders fall to 1st defeat

By: Ciaran Fahey, The Associated Press Posted: 3:49 PM CST Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 Last Modified: 4:13 PM CST Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018

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BERLIN - Promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win on Tuesday, dealing the leader its first Bundesliga loss of the season.

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BERLIN - Promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win on Tuesday, dealing the leader its first Bundesliga loss of the season.

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BERLIN – Promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win on Tuesday, dealing the leader its first Bundesliga loss of the season.

Goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Jean Zimmer in either half cut Dortmund’s lead to six points over Borussia Moenchengladbach, which earlier defeated Nuremberg 2-0.

Bayern Munich is three points further back ahead of its home game against Leipzig on Wednesday.

Dortmund's Marco Reus looks disappointed after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Fortuna Duesseldorf and Borussia Dortmund in Duesseldorf, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. Fortuna defeated Dortmund with 2-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Substitute Paco Alcacer scored his league-leading 12th goal of the season in the 81th minute for Dortmund, but Duesseldorf held on for its second win in succession – its fourth of the campaign and its first over the league leader for 22 years – to climb out of the relegation zone.

“It’s nice that we’re the first to beat Dortmund, but it only gives you three points,” Duesseldorf coach Friedhelm Funkel said.

An injury to Manuel Akanji added to Dortmund’s defensive worries ahead of its clash with Gladbach on Friday.

Dortmund captain Marco Reus had an early goal ruled out as Christian Pulisic, making his first league start since Sept. 29, was offside when he was adjudged to have hindered goalkeeper Michael Rensing’s sight.

The visitors were caught on a counterattack when Kevin Stoeger lifted the ball over the visiting defence for Lukebakio to shoot inside the left corner in the 22nd.

Duesseldorf doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half, when Zimmer let fly with a shot across goal and inside the far top corner.

Dortmund coach Lucien Favre brought on Jadon Sancho and Alcacer in response.

It took 20 minutes for them to make their mark as Alcacer scored his 10th goal as a substitute, but an equalizer never came.

“The team is very young. We’re learning every day,” said Favre, whose side was already guaranteed top spot going into the league’s winter break. “It’s a great opening half to the season in any case.”

GLADBACH CLOSES IN

Duesseldorf's Jean Zimmer, center, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Fortuna Duesseldorf and Borussia Dortmund in Duesseldorf, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Moenchengladbach kept the pressure on Dortmund with its 2-0 win over the other promoted side, Nuremberg.

Thorgan Hazard atoned for missing a penalty with the opener right after the break and Alassane Plea sealed it late with his ninth goal of the season.

Nuremberg could finish the 16th round bottom if Hannover wins at Freiburg on Wednesday.

Gladbach next visits Dortmund on Friday.

Also, Augsburg held Hertha Berlin to a 2-2 draw in the capital, and Wolfsburg defeated Stuttgart 2-0 at home to leave the visitors in the relegation zone.

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