In Germany, excitement over the clash between Bundelsiga leaders Bayern Munich and Leipzig was tempered by the attack on Wednesday in which a truck was driven into a crowd of people gathered at a Berlin Christmas market.

The game would still go on, but it's significance for the top of the league heading ino the winter break was obviously muted as the country tries to come to grips with this latest horror that is presumed to be the work of terrorists.

All across Germany, clubs playing on Wednesday held tributes to the victims of the truck attack in which 13 people died and more than 40 were injured. Police are still searching for the attacker, who hijacked the vehicle and shot dead the Polish driver before driving into the busy crowd gathered at the market.

Champions extend lead atop standings with convincing win

Bayern would quickly assume control of the game and Robert Lewandowski sees his effort go off the post, but Thiago Alcantara is there to poke home the rebound in the 17th minute. 1-0 Munich.

Eight minutes later the hosts double their lead through Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard is sent clear by Alcantara leaviung him the relativley simple task of picking out the far bottom corner and it's 2-0 for the Bavarians.

In the 44th minute, Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulasci brings down Douglas Costa inside the box for a penalty. Up steps Robert Lewandowski to reap his 12th goal of the season just before the break.

Bayern would go on to win 3-0 to move three points clear of Leipzig who suffer only their second loss of the season.  

Draw at home keeps Cologne in seventh place in table

Now we've got Cologne in white at home to Bayer Leverkusen. And the hosts open the scoring in the 21st minute after a nice build up down the right wing ends in a brilliant volley from Anthony Modeste. Modeste's 12th goal of the season is a beauty and he's now second in the scroring race.

But in the 43rd minute, Wendell Borges disappoints the Cologne fans when he scores and the match ends in a 1-1 draw.

In other action, Hertha Berlin returned to their winning ways and climbed into the top three after securing a 2-0 win over bottom-dwelling Darmstadt. Freiburg extended their unbeaten run to four games after beating Ingolstadt 2-1, and Hoffenheim shared the spoils with Werder Bremen following a 1-1 draw.