RB Leipzig are guaranteed UEFA Europa League football in the new year, but could yet qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds after substitute Alexander Sorloth scored an injury-time goal to seal a 4-3 win away to Istanbul Basaksehir.

Istanbul Basaksehir 3-4 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Poulsen (26’), 0-2 Mukiele (41’), 1-2 Kahveci (45’+3), 1-3 Olmo (66’), 2-3 Kahveci (72’), 3-3 Kahveci (85’), 3-4 Sorloth (90’+2)

Third in Group H at the start of play, 2019/20 semi-finalists Leipzig set their stall out to attack as Emil Forsberg shot wide from 15 yards and Nordi Mukiele forced a sharp save out of Mert Günok inside the opening five minutes. Günok thwarted Yussuf Poulsen and Forsberg threatened once more, before Leipzig got the goal their dominance so richly deserved when Marcel Sabitzer’s 20-yard effort deflected in off Poulsen. Mukiele combined with Forsberg to add a second, but not before Peter Gulacsi had kept out ex-Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba from close range.

Leipzig’s advantage was halved late in the first period when Irfan Kahveci scored his first of the contest. Edin Visca ballooned over and had an effort ruled out early in an entertaining second half, either side of promising openings for Angelino and Forsberg. Leipzig restored their two-goal lead through Dani Olmo, but Kahveci scored twice, completing his hat-trick six minutes after Poulsen had struck the woodwork from a tight angle. Sorloth had the final say, though, opening his Leipzig account two minutes into added time, with a goal that gives Die Roten Bullen every hope of reaching the last 16 going into their final group outing at home to Manchester United.

Match stats

• Poulsen scored his first Champions League goal on his 17th appearance.
• Mukiele also got his first goal in Europe.
• Leipzig's 13 shots in the first half was the most they've ever had in a Champions League away game.
• Sorloth scored his maiden goal for Leipzig. He got 33 in 49 appearances whilst on loan at Turkish club Trabzonspor last season, including one in injury time against Basaksehir.
• This was Leipzig's first away win in the Champions League this season. They won three of their four away games in term, drawing the other.
• Basaksehir have failed to win five of six meetings with Bundesliga clubs (D2, L3).

Line-ups

Basaksehir: Günok - Rafael, Skrtel (Epureanu 46'), Ponck, Bolingoli (Chadli 36') - Visca (c) (Giuliano 65'), Özcan (Tekdemir 46'), Kahveci, Türüc - Gulbrandsen (Crivelli 84'), Ba
Unused subs: Babacan, Kivanc, Kaldirim, Topal, Aleksic, Kaplan, Karakus
Out: Caicara (Achilles tendon)
Coach: Okan Buruk 

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Mukiele, Upamecano, Konate - Haidara (Orban 90'+4), Sabitzer (c), Kampl (Adams 46'), Angelino - Olmo (Kluivert 88'), Forsberg (Sorloth 65') – Poulsen
Unused subs: Tschauner, Martinez, Samardzic, Halstenberg, Borkowski, Martel, Wosz
Out: Henrichs (knee), Hwang (not included), Klostermann (knee), Laimer (knee), Nkunku (personal reasons)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

As it happened

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!