2. Bundesliga: Schalke squander two goal lead against Dresden

Schalke were left to rue another costly lapse as they surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Dynamo Dresden at the Veltins-Arena this afternoon.

The hosts controlled much of the early proceedings but struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Opportunities were scarce for both sides in a cagey first half, with Edin Džeko coming closest midway through the opening period after intercepting a loose pass from Jonas Sterner inside the box, only to fire wide. The half eventually ended goalless – the sixth consecutive match in which Schalke have failed to score before the break – as Dresden grew into the contest towards the interval.

Schalke emerged with renewed purpose after the restart and finally found their breakthrough seven minutes into the second half. Dejan Ljubičić delivered a delightful cross from the right, which Džeko met with a composed volley to beat Tim Schreiber from close range. The Royal Blues, having failed to register a shot on target in the first half, suddenly looked transformed.

The lead was doubled with 20 minutes remaining. El-Faouzi picked out Džeko on the edge of the area, and the Bosnian striker took a touch before rifling a half-volley past the helpless Schreiber to seemingly put Schalke in full control.

However, with the points within reach, Schalke unravelled. Dresden were handed a lifeline 12 minutes from time when Alexander Rossipal surged down the left and fired a dangerous ball into the area, which deflected off the unfortunate Hasan Kuruçay and into his own net. The momentum swung decisively, and with three minutes left on the clock, the visitors completed an improbable comeback. Schalke failed to deal with a corner, Loris Karius was caught in no man’s land, and Thomas Keller was left with a simple header into an empty net to make it 2-2.

A stunned Schalke threw bodies forward throughout eight minutes of stoppage time but were unable to restore their advantage. At full-time, blue shirts collapsed to the turf in disbelief as Schalke dropped points for the fifth match in succession – yet remarkably remain top of the table. For Dresden, it was a hugely encouraging result in their relegation fight, though they remain 17th.