Schalke secure late draw, Bayern win in Bundesliga

Berlin, Dec 17: Schalke rallied back from two goals down to snatch a two-all draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, while Thomas Mueller helped Bayern Munich carve out a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart in the Bundesliga football championship.

Schalke on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to 11 games as Naldo's last-gasp leveller ensured a 2-2 draw against hosts Frankfurt. 

With the draw, Schalke remain in the second place whereas Frankfurt slipped to the seventh position in the standings, reports Xinhua news agency.

Frankfurt had a bright start after Mijat Gacinovic's pass allowed Luka Jovic to break the deadlock with only 60 seconds played.

As the match progressed, Schalke assumed control of the proceedings. Nevertheless, with the start of the second half the hosts were caught flat-footed again as Gacinovic forced a turnover to set up for Sebastien Haller. The latter finished off the 2-0 lead with his back heel in the 66th minute.

Schalke increased the pressure and came close through Matija Nastasic, whose dangerous free kick missed the target just wide. Substitute Breel Embolo pulled one back after making use of Guido Burgstaller's cross in the 82nd minute.

It looked like Frankfurt would hijack three points from Schalke but the hosts had an ace in the hole as Naldo slotted home the equaliser with the last action of the game to shock the "Eagles".

Bayern Munich recorded their fourth straight victory after moving 1-0 past newly promoted Stuttgart, who squandered a penalty in the dying seconds of the match.

Stuttgart started highly motivated in the encounter against the record champions. The hosts disrupted Bayern's rhythm and came to chances through Chadrac Akolo in the opening stages.

Bayern needed time to gain a foothold into the game but still striker Robert Lewandowski had a promising chance to open the scoring with 21 minutes played but goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler defused the effort.

Stuttgart's goalkeeper remained in the thick of things as he denied midfielder Corentin Tolisso an effort from the edge of the box after 37 minutes.

After the restart, Bayern gained momentum and pressed Stuttgart into the defence. Kingsley Coman, Lewandowski and James Rodriguez tested Zieler.

However, Stuttgart's goalkeeper was hapless in the 79th minute when substitute Mueller capitalised on a pass from Coman to break the deadlock from inside the box.

Stuttgart had the golden chance to secure a 1-1 draw in the dying seconds of the game but Bayern goalie Sven Ulreich saved Chadrac Akolo's penalty.

With the result, Bayern remain atop the Bundesliga table and established an 11-point advantage while Stuttgart continue in the 14th place.

Elsewhere, last placed Cologne secured their first three points of the season after beating Wolfsburg on the sole goal from Christian Clemens.

Augsburg secured one point on home soil as Alfred Finnbogason provided a brace to ensure a 3-3 draw against Freiburg.

Werder Bremen were held by Mainz 2-2 after wasting a two-goal lead and Dortmund came from behind to down Hoffenheim 2-1.