Werner hits two as Leipzig outfire Augsburg

RB Leipzig 3-2 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Maier 5’ (assist: Iago), 1-1 Kampl 10’ (assist: Werner), 2-1 Werner 32' (assist: Heinrichs), 3-1 Werner 35' (assist: Kampl), 3-2 Vargas 82'

Leipzig tried to make a positive start and Dominik Szoboszlai played a neat one-two with Werner in the opening minutes to set up an early opportunity, but deputy Augsburg goalkeeper Tomas Koubek made a fine save. The hosts briefly rued missing that opportunity as Arne Maier smashed in a drilled cross from Iago in the visitors’ first attack for a shock lead. Leipzig responded in next to no time though, as Werner clipped a cross in that Kevin Kampl slid in to pounce on at the near post to level. The hosts bossed possession as the game settled after the frantic start. They took the lead just after the 30-minute mark as Benjamin Henrichs turned the ball in and Werner applied a silky first-touch finish. The Germany international made another sublime display of his finishing minutes later for his side’s third before the break – by knocking a dinked Kampl pass to one side and sinking a stunning drive into the top corner on the half-volley.

Having gained a comfortable lead, Leipzig were content to continue their calm and controlled possession-based play in the second period as they waited to see if further opportunities would come their way. Josko Gvardiol sent a long-range effort into Koubek's arms, before Augsburg substitute Irvin Cardona flashed a shot just wide as the visitors upped their intensity for a while in attempting to claw a way back into the game. Christopher Nkunku was introduced for the final 20 minutes after missing the previous four matches with injury, adding to the feelgood atmosphere as Leipzig looked to be cruising to three valuable points. Ruben Vargas tucked the ball inside the post when the ball fell kindly to him in the box though to give Augsburg hope of salvaging a result. A nervy final few minutes ensued, with Nkunku chipping the ball over the bar when an opportunity for a fourth presented itself on the break, but Leipzig took the win regardless.

Watch: Timo Werner's screamer against Augsburg

• Werner's second strike today was his 100th Bundesliga goal. He is one of the 10 youngest players to ever reach that milestone.
• Kampl scored his first Bundesliga goal in close to three years (since June 2020 vs. Düsseldorf). Five of his six league goals for Leipzig have come at home.
• Die Roten Bullen are unbeaten in their last 13 competitive meetings with Augsburg (W9, D4) and have lost just once in 16 since Bundesliga promotion in 2016.
• Augsburg captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw made his 200th competitive appearance for the club. He will miss the side's next match against Stuttgart suspended though after receiving his 10th yellow card of the season.
• Maier had scored just one goal in 103 Bundesliga appearances prior to the start of this season - and has scored four goals already in this campaign.
• Leipzig and Augsburg have both now scored ten goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season – only Bayern Munich have hit more (13).

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Leipzig: Blaswich - Klostermann, Orban (c), Gvardiol - Henrichs, Kampl (Laimer 79'), Haidara, Raum (Halstenberg 85') - Szoboszlai (Diallo 85'), Werner (Silva 85'), Olmo (Nkunku 73')
Unused subs: Nyland, Ba
Out: Forsberg (ill), Gulacsi (knee), Poulsen (calf), Schlager (ankle)
Coach: Marco Rose

Augsburg: Koubek - Bauer, Gouweleeuw (c), Uduokhai (Veiga 78') - Gumny (Jensen 38'), Engels (Baumgartlinger 46'), Rexhbecaj, Iago - Maier (Vargas 61'), Pedersen - Beljo (Cardona 61')
Unused subs: Klein, Colina, Caligiuri, Mbuku
Out: Berisha (ankle), Demirovic (suspended), Dorsch (nose), Gikiewicz (shoulder), Hahn (knee), Strobl (cruciate ligament), Yeboah (ankle)
Coach: Enrico Maaßen