Borussia Dortmund look set to defend their German league crown after their 1-0 win over title-rivals Bayern Munich on Wednesday put them six points clear at the top with four games left.
Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored his 20th goal of the season in the second-half to give Dortmund three more priceless points and open a considerable gap over second-placed Bayern.
Dortmund took their chance when wing Kevin Grosskreutz’s shot took a significant deflection off Lewandowski on 77 minutes.
But there was drama four minutes from time when Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller felled Dutch winger Arjen Robben in the penalty area.
The Netherlands star picked himself up to take the penalty, but he fired too close to the Borussia captain who saved the strike and was immediately mobbed by his team-mates.
Both sides hit the cross bar with time almost up as Robben squandered a golden chance by shooting over with the goal at his mercy.
Lewandowski also hit the woodwork after he chipped over Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer just before the final whistle.
‘That was thrilling at the end, the last few minutes were unbelievable,’ said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, whose team are at bitter neighbours Schalke on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
‘Hats off to my team, you can’t play much better than that.
‘I think the victory was highly deserved, I am very happy.
‘Now the next step is against our friends in Gelsenkirchen.’
It was Dortmund’s 24 consecutive games without defeat – their last Bundesliga loss coming last September against Hanover – and Dortmund’s fourth straight win over the Bavarians, who will meet them again in the German Cup final on May 12.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes must now rebuild his players’ morale quickly as they face Real Madrid next Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final, first-leg, and before that host Mainz on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
‘This was a first-class performance from both teams,’ said Heynckes.
‘The first half belonged to Dortmund, they played very aggressively and were full vigour.
Third-placed Schalke suffered a shock 4-1 defeat at mid-table Nuremberg which leaves them six points behind Bayern.
Hamburg’s woeful form continues as they were thrashed 4-0 at Hoffenheim to leave them with just two wins from their last ten games and only two points above the relegation places.
With just four games left, Kaiserslautern slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen and they could be relegated if they lose at Nuremberg on Saturday as they currently lie 10 points from safety at the foot of the table.
Hanover enjoyed a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg to go seventh and back amongst the Europa League places for next season.