Union Berlin Stuns RB Leipzig 3-1 in Bundesliga Upset

Tim Skarke seals win as Union Berlin defeats Leipzig

Union Berlin beats Leipzig 3-1, moves to 8th in Bundesliga. Oliver Burke scores as Union Berlin upsets Leipzig.

The goal was sweet revenge for Burke, who had previously played for Leipzig. However...

Union Berlin pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset against second-placed RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, avoiding their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions for the first time since January. The mid-table team showed impressive grit and determination to secure the win, with Oliver Burke scoring the opener in the 57th minute.

Leipzig had dominated possession early on, but their chances were scarce, and Union Berlin's defense held firm. The hosts took the lead through Burke's left-footed shot, and Leipzig equalized just three minutes later through Tidiam Gomis. However, Union Berlin regained the lead with Ilyas Ansah's header, and Tim Skarke sealed the win in stoppage time.

So schön. So schön. #FCUnion #FCULeipzig #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/lFcp8WR5mB

— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) December 12, 2025

This defeat is a significant blow to Leipzig's title hopes, as they now trail leaders Bayern Munich by eight points. Union Berlin, on the other hand, moves up to eighth place with 18 points, having won four, drawn three, and lost six games this season.

The match got underway with the hosts, RB Leipzig, creating the first chance. Woo-yeong Jeong had a shot fly over the bar from 20 yards after cleverly flicking the ball over visiting centre-back Willi Orbán. Union Berlin's goalkeeper, Frederik Ronnow, responded with a brilliant save, pushing Yan Diomande's strike wide after the Ivorian midfielder went on a impressive run.

RB Leipzig continued to press, and Ronnow was called into action again, this time producing sharp reflexes to keep out Christoph Baumgartner's powerful header from a corner. The Union Berlin goalkeeper was having a busy start to the match, but he and his team were holding firm against the Leipzig attack.

The first half was wrapping up, and Union Berlin's Janik Haberer had the final chance before the break. He had a scruffy effort go wide, but it was a tough one to finish, with bodies all around him and possibly losing sight of the ball. Meanwhile, the misty atmosphere at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei was adding an extra layer of drama to the game, with some fans more captivated by the fog than the action on the pitch.

The second half was a different story altogether. The mist cleared, and Union Berlin supporters got a clear view of their team's opening goal on the 57th minute. Leipzig right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic was dispossessed by Aljoscha Kemlein, and the ball was worked to the right-hand side, where Oliver Burke created some space and unleashed a left-footed shot that found its way into Peter Gulacsi's top right-hand corner.

The goal was sweet revenge for Burke, who had previously played for Leipzig. However, the lead was short-lived, as Leipzig equalized quickly. Union Berlin's Christopher Trimmel gave away possession, and Conrad Harder found teenager Tidiam Gomis, who scored his first goal for the club with aplomb. Diomande nearly completed the turnaround, but Kohn made a great tackle to stop him.

However, Union Berlin quickly regained the lead. Trimmel made up for his earlier mistake with a pinpoint cross, and Ilyas Ansah headed it in with conviction, leaving Leipzig trailing again. The game was turning out to be a thriller, with both teams creating chances.

Union Berlin had braced themselves for a strong Leipzig response, given their attacking firepower. However, Ole Werner's men were feeble in the closing stages and were punished late on as Tim Skarke lashed home to seal a famous home win. Leipzig have now won just three of their eight Bundesliga away matches this season and face the prospect of being leapfrogged by Borussia Dortmund later this weekend. Union Berlin, who were marshalled excellently by young defender Leopold Querfeld, are now up to eighth.