Top 10 best Bundesliga matches of all time

Epic showdowns and unforgettable moments of the German League

Between 1999-00 and 2009-10, five different Bundesliga teams got their hands on the prize. Bayern Munich have dominated since then, save for two Borussia Dortmund titles in the early 2010s and since then it's only the Bavarians who have been ruling the league for a decade now.

Germany’s top flight is not just about those two clubs, there are a lot of Bundesliga clubs capable of producing upsets. Clubs like Leipzig, Schalke and Wolfsburg have given us some great memories that we can look behind and enjoy.

Here are 10 of the best Bundesliga fixtures:

10. Hamburg 1-1 Bayern Munich (2001)

Taking place on the hallowed grounds of the Volksparkstadion, the match pitted a spirited Hamburger SV side against a formidable Bayern Munich squad. What transpired over the course of 90 minutes was a battle not just for three points, but for supremacy, pride, and footballing philosophy.

The crowd's roar reverberated through the stadium as the underdogs took the lead. But football often has its twists. Bayern Munich, unaccustomed to relinquishing control, responded with a resilience that was characteristic of their legacy. Their equalizer was a testament to their never-say-die attitude.

9. Stuttgart 4-4 Werder Bremen (2004)

The clash between VfB Stuttgart and Werder Bremen in 2004 stands as a prime example of back-and-forth action. From the very first whistle, it was evident that both teams had come to play. The energy was palpable as Stuttgart and Werder Bremen engaged in a relentless battle for control.

What made this match even more captivating was the variety in the goals. From thunderous long-range shots to delicate chips, headers, and perfectly executed team moves, every goal showcased the range of skills that make football a beautiful game. As the clock ticked down, the scoreline remained locked at 4-4, it is one of the most memorable fixtures of recent times.

8. Bayern Munich 1-3 Werder Bremen (2004)

It's very rare to see Bayern lose in the Bundesliga, one of the upsets happened in 2004. The stage was set at the iconic Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich was considered a formidable force. Werder Bremen, while respected, faced an uphill battle against the reigning giants.

As the goals flowed for Werder Bremen, the Allianz Arena – a fortress for Bayern – was silenced. The script was being rewritten before the eyes of football fans worldwide. It was a masterclass in seizing opportunities, making every attack count, and demonstrating the power of tactical brilliance. The footballing world witnessed that day that even the most established hierarchies can be disrupted by determination, strategy, and a collective belief in a shared goal.

7. Bayern Munich 2-1 Hoffenheim (2008)

Hoffenheim won promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2008. They played some stunning football at times in 2008-09, and they were never content to just sit back and hope for the best. Their loss to Bayern was perhaps the fastest of what we've seen from Hoffenheim till now.

The match took on an air of intensity as both teams battled for control. The flow of the game created an atmosphere of uncertainty, The final whistle signaled a 2-1 victory for Bayern Munich, but the significance of the match stretched beyond the scoreline.

6. Borussia Dortmund 4-4 Stuttgart (2012)

The clash between Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart in 2012 stands tall as one of those remarkable encounters – a roller-coaster of emotions that showcased the heart-pounding drama and never-say-die spirit that make the sport so enthralling.

Borussia Dortmund led 1-0 at the break and then doubled their advantage soon after the restart, but Stuttgart wasn't going down without a fight. They scored 3 goals in eight minutes, Dortmund equalized soon after before restoring their lead with the help of Ivan Perisic but a stoppage-time equalizer by Christian Genter stunned the home crowd.

5. Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund (2014)

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have served up some classics in recent times. This 2-1 victory for Bayern in 2014 is probably the pick of the bunch. Jurgen Klopp’s final season as Dortmund boss began disastrously, with the club bottom of the table after 19 games, Pep Guardiola’s side were expected to thrash BVB but Marco Reus gave the visitors a surprise lead.

The second half was a captivating contest between attack and defence that was ultimately won by the former, with Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben scoring and helping Bayern earn maximum points in one of the best Bundesliga derbies of modern times.

4. Bayern Munich 5-1 Wolfsburg (2015)

This match is remembered for the extraordinary contributions of one man - Robert Lewandowski, Wolfsburg were winning 1-0 against Pep Guardiola's side. The Polish striker had different ideas and was on another planet during that match.

Lewandowski scored all five goals in just nine minutes making it one of the best performances ever in the Bundesliga. Even the former manager and one of the greatest to ever do it - Pep couldn't just believe what happened. It is just not him but people watching around the world were stunned by the Polish's performance that night.

3. Borussia Dortmund 4-4 Schalke (2017)

The fierce rivals contest in what is known as Riverderby in Germany. The home team raced into a 4-0 lead after 25 minutes and the scoreline remained the same for an hour. Schalke approached the game differently after that, they scored 4 goals in less than 30 minutes making it one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the German top tier.

2. Borussia Dortmund 3-3 RB Leipzig (2019)

The clash between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in 2019 stands as a shining example – a match that encapsulated the drama, passion, and sheer entertainment that define the beautiful game. It was a true back-and-forth affair, a seesaw battle that showcased the resilience and determination of both sides.

RB Leipzig have emerged as a major force in the Bundesliga in recent years. They have pulled out some eye-catching results since winning promotion to the top tier, but this is arguably the best fixture they have ever been involved in. Neither Dortmund nor Leipzig blinked throughout 90 chaotic minutes, Dortmund led 2-0 but were pulled back to 2-2, before edging ahead again through Jadon Sancho. But Leipzig refused to lie down and made it 3-3 in the 77th minute.

1. Werder Bremen 6-1 Koln (2020)

A run of four defeats in five games looked as if it would help send Werder Bremen down to the second division in 2019-20. To avoid the drop, they needed to beat Koln on the final day and hope for a Fortuna Dusseldorf slip-up against Union Berlin.

Werder had been in the 17th position for weeks and managed a thrilling victory against Koln to keep their hopes alive of playing in the first division of German football. This 6-1 victory helped them secure a relegation play-off against Heidenheim, which they won on away goals to survive in the league.