Leverkusen fought back from two deficits in the match, which appeared to be heading for a draw until Hincapie intervened, getting a touch on a corner from Alex Grimaldo to secure the winning goal.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was ecstatic, as the victory against a top-four rival earned his team valuable three points, although second-placed Bayern Munich have played two fewer games.
“We don’t always have to win like that, but it certainly feels good to secure a couple of victories in this manner,” said Leverkusen’s Jonas Hofmann.
Alonso’s unbeaten squad has now won 24 and drawn three out of 27 games this season.
Leipzig’s sensation Xavi Simons stunned the home side with an early lead after just seven minutes.
The 20-year-old midfielder received a pass and executed a 360-degree spin before chipping the ball into the corner of the net.
Leipzig held onto their lead for the remainder of the first half, but Leverkusen quickly equalized in the second half, with Nathan Tella tapping in a low cross from Grimaldo.
Leipzig responded with a goal of their own, as Lois Openda found the back of the net after a counter-attack that spanned the entire length of the field.
German defender Jonathan Tah rose to the occasion, scoring a header from a corner just seven minutes later to level the scores, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
Chocolate protest
Donyell Malen scored twice as Borussia Dortmund defeated Cologne 4-0 in a match that was delayed for eight minutes due to protesting fans throwing gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins onto the pitch.
Malen curled in a cross from Julian Brandt to give Dortmund the lead after 12 minutes, just before both sets of supporters began their planned protest.
Fans were demonstrating against the German FA’s decision to allow increased foreign investment in the sport. Players from both teams, along with stadium attendants, worked together to remove the coins from the field.
After an additional eight minutes of added time, the first half ended with Dortmund in control, leading 1-0.
Jadon Sancho, who returned to the starting lineup after a successful substitute appearance last week following his loan move back to Manchester United, earned Dortmund a penalty early in the second half. He was fouled by Rasmus Carstensen.
Niclas Fuellkrug converted the penalty to double Dortmund’s lead.
“Jadon would have also scored from the penalty, but he can save that for next week,” Fuellkrug told Sky Germany.
Malen added another shortly after, running onto an excellent pass from Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen to score his second goal.
Teenage striker Youssoufa Moukoko sealed a second consecutive victory for Dortmund with a goal in injury time, securing a 4-0 win.
Bochum won 1-0 at home against Stuttgart in a match that was delayed by 40 minutes due to visiting fans refusing to remove flags that were blocking fire exits.
Referee Bastian Dankert delayed the second half’s kickoff due to the flags, as the score remained 0-0.
After the 40-minute delay, Matus Bero of Bochum scored shortly after the restart, despite the efforts of Stuttgart fans to influence the game with their flag display.
This loss marks the fourth time third-placed Stuttgart has been defeated in matches where star striker Serhou Guirassy was not available. Guirassy is currently representing Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Elsewhere, with 10 men, Freiburg defeated Hoffenheim 3-2 at home, inching closer to the European qualifying positions.
Freiburg raced to a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Lucas Hoeler and Vincenzo Grifo.
Hoffenheim fought back and equalized through goals from Wout Weghorst and Max Beier.
Freiburg’s Manuel Gulde received a second yellow card and was sent off, reducing the home side to ten men. However, this setback seemed to motivate Freiburg, who scored the winning goal shortly afterward through Roland Sallai.
Eintracht Frankfurt also let go of a two-goal lead but couldn’t find a winner, drawing 2-2 away at Darmstadt.
Christoph Klarer scored for Darmstadt in the fifth minute of injury time, securing a valuable point for the last-placed home side in their local derby.
Wolfsburg’s recent struggles continued, with Niko Kovac’s team held to a 1-1 draw against Heidenheim.
Vietnam inks MoU with Deutsche Fußball Liga for local development
The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), the organizing body for the German professional association football leagues Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Vietnamese Football Federation (VFF) and the Vietnam Professional Football League (VPF) to continue supporting the growth of the sport throughout the Southeast Asian country.
Borussia Dortmund touches down in Vietnam
Renowned midfielder Marco Reus and a delegation made up of 123 players and staff from leading German side Borussia Dortmund landed at Noi Bai International Airport on November 29.
Borussia Dortmund brings star players to Vietnam for friendly match
A delegation of German football club Borussia Dortmund, including superstars like Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, arrived in Vietnam early on Tuesday morning for a friendly match with the Vietnamese national team.
Leverkusen Clinch Inaugural Bundesliga Title with Convincing Victory
Undefeated Bayer Leverkusen clinched their maiden Bundesliga title on Sunday, crushing Werder Bremen 5-0 to end Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign atop the German top flight.
