Diego brace wins it for Wolfsburg

Diego brace wins it for Wolfsburg


Diego made amends for missing a penalty as his two goals guided Wolfsburg to a narrow victory over bottom side Borussia Monchengladbach in an eventful match in the Bundesliga. Diego blazed the ball over the bar when a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Sascha Reither in the 28th minute, but made up for it seven minutes later when he put the hosts ahead.

The Brazilian scored his second in first-half injury time with an unstoppable curling free-kick before Gladbach pulled one back with a contentious penalty. Mike Hanke had a great chance to equalise in the 89th minute but squandered the opportunity as Wolfsburg moved three points clear of the relegation zone.

Wolfsburg were dominant from the outset, Cicero shooting just wide before Dieumerci Mbokani headed against the bar. Borussia goalkeeper Logan Bailey parried a shot from Diego with Mbokani sending the follow-up wide before Borussia even managed their first shot. On that occasion, Mohamadou Idrissou headed the ball tamely into Marwin Hitz's arms.

Pierre Littbarski's side had a chance to go ahead when Reither was brought down by Juan Arango, but Diego sent his penalty well over. Borussia almost took advantage with Marco Reus squaring to the onrushing Roman Neustader but his left-footed shot went high and wide.

Just three minutes later Wolfsburg were ahead. Reither rolled the ball across the box and Mbokani dummied for Diego to slot home. Diego then followed up with a second when he whipped a shot into the net to put the hosts firmly in control.

With a little less than 15 minutes remaining, Gladbach reduced the deficit when the referee decided Jan Polak climbed above Hanke in the box. Filip Daems then converted the penalty.

Reus forced Hitz to tip over before the hosts had a goal disallowed when Simon Kjaer was deemed to have pulled down Daems. Martin Stranzl inexplicably missed from five yards for the visitors, while replays showed Wolfsburg's Arne Friedrich had likely handled the ball. Gladbach then passed up a great chance to draw level when Hitz dropped a cross only for Hanke to hit the ball straight at the Wolfsburg goalkeeper.