Myron Boadu's hat-trick heroics help Bochum peg back Leipzig
Myron Boadu scored a stunning second-half hat-trick to earn Bochum an unlikely point after Dieter Hecking's side looked down and out at the break against Leipzig.
Bochum 3-3 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Orbán 10’ (assist: Raum), 0-2 Nusa 13’, 0-3 Baumgartner 22’ (assist: Raum), 1-3 Boadu 48’ (assist: Holtmann), 2-3 Boadu 56’ (assist: Broschinski), 3-3 Boadu (pen.) 61’
Buoyed by recent home victories, Bochum were looking to continue their upward trajectory in their fight against relegation. Yet Leipzig's ambitions were at the other end of the table and Marco Rose's team were in town looking to enhance their prospects of a top-four finish.
The absences of suspended strikers Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda meant Antonio Nusa and Christoph Baumgartner stepping into the spotlight and the duo responded as the visitors stormed into a 3-0 lead.
Leipzig's first-half blitz
Willi Orbán broke the deadlock for Die Roten Bullen in the 10th minute with an unorthodox lob that caught Patrick Drewes off guard. Just three minutes later, Nusa doubled the lead with a powerful low drive.
The onslaught soon continued as Baumgartner added a third in the 22nd minute, finishing off a well-worked move. Leipzig's clinical efficiency was evident, converting all three of their shots on target into goals.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Boadu leads Bochum's resurgence
The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum, sparked by Dieter Hecking's inspired half-time substitution of Gerrit Holtmann for Felix Passlack. The change paid immediate dividends as Holtmann's energy reinvigorated Bochum's attack.
Boadu's first goal began the comeback in the 48th minute, the AS Monaco loanee capitalising on a defensive error. Boadu struck again from close range in the 56th minute, bringing Bochum to within touching distance.
The Vonovia-Ruhrstadion erupted in the 61st minute when the Amsterdam native completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, levelling the score at 3-3 and capping off an extraordinary turnaround.
Frantic finale
The final half-hour was a pulsating affair as both teams pushed for a winner. Bochum, riding the wave of their comeback, came close when Maximilian Wittek's corner struck the crossbar.
Leipzig, shell-shocked but still dangerous, had opportunities through Xavi and Yussuf Poulsen. The encounter concluded in a crescendo, with Poulsen narrowly missing a chance to snatch victory in the dying seconds.
Player of the Match: Myron Boadu
Boadu's performance was nothing short of spectacular, dragging Bochum back from the brink of defeat. His hat-trick showcased a range of finishing skills: opportunism for his first, composure for his second, and nerves of steel for the equalising penalty.
The Dutch forward's movement and link-up play were instrumental in Bochum's second-half resurgence, constantly troubling the Leipzig defence. With three shots on target and a 100 per cent conversion rate, Boadu's clinical display was the catalyst for one of the season's most remarkable comebacks.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bochum 2.8 - Leipzig 1.96
Fastest player: Moritz Broschinski (Bochum), 34.12 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Willi Orbán (Leipzig), 1.55 percent
Most pressed player: Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Kevin Kampl (Leipzig), +4.37
Fantasy Heroes: Myron Boadu (Bochum 1848, 425 Points), Christoph Baumgartner (Leipzig, 344 Points), Willi Orbán (Leipzig, 317 Points)
Related news
Fantasy Team of the Week: Matchday 18
Florian Wirtz, Leon Goretzka and Myron Boadu were among the star Fantasy performers on Matchday 18.
Matchday 18 highlights!
Bayern and Leverkusen picked up wins, Frankfurt defeated Dortmund and plenty more goals everywhere else...
The 2024/25 relegation battle
With the second half of the season now underway, over a third of the teams are in danger of the drop.