🇩🇪 Köln relegated, Union survive as Marco Reus gets perfect send off | OneFootball

The title may have been sorted weeks ago but there was still a lot of play for on the final day of the Bundesliga season.

Here’s what happened.

Relegation

Köln finished in 17th place and were relegated as they went down 4-1 at Heidenheim.

It was the hosts who took the lead after 15 minutes as Eren Dinkçi wrong-footed the visiting goalkeeper and slotted home.

Dinkçi then doubled his tally for the afternoon just a few moments later as he jinked his way past three defenders and finished with aplomb.

Kevin Sessa’s superb long-range effort then made it three for the home side to all but secure Köln’s relegation before half-time.

After the break Köln managed to pull one back as Steffan Tigges’ header was knocked in at the far post.

Any hope that the away side may have got from that goal was quickly distinguished though as Jan-Niklas Beste scored a stunner from 25 yards.

Union Berlin meanwhile scored a 94th minute winner to secure their place in the Bundesliga next term.

On 38 minutes Union had the chance to go ahead as Josip Juranović had a penalty, only for the midfielder to see his spot kick saved well.

Union eventually did take the lead though as Benedict Hollerbach found space on the edge of the area and rifled an effort into the top left-hand corner.

Ritsu Doan headed in a late equaliser for Freiburg though which saw Union drop into the relegation play-off place.

But in added time, Union missed their second penalty of the game before Janik Haberer scored the follow-up to stay in the top flight on goal difference.

Bochum though dropped into the relegation places as they went down to Werder Bremen 4-1.

Marco Friedl’s goal after six minutes opened the coring before late strikes from Anthony Jung, Jens Stage and Romano Schmid saw Bremen win 4-1.

The race for Europe

Eintracht Frankfurt earned their place in next season’s Europa League as they drew 2-2 with RB Leipzig.

Frankfurt were largely the better side as they hosted RB Leipzig.

But despite dominating for most of the first half it was the away side who took the lead in the dying moments as Xavi Simons converted from the spot at the second time of asking.

Almost immediately in the second half,Leipzig added a second as Benjamin Šeško finished well.

Frankfurt did manage to pull one back on the hour mark as Hugo Ekitike rose highest in the area and headed in.

And with 15 minutes to go Frankfurt got themselves level as Omar Marmoush scored from the penalty spot.

Hoffenheim then stunned Bayern 4-2 to finish seventh and provisionally earn a spot in the Conference League.

In Thomas Tuchel’s final game as Bayern boss his side flew out of the blocks as they scored twice in quick succession early on.

First it was Mathys Tel who headed home before Alphonso Davies got in on the act with his own neat finish.

A mix-up in defence allowed Hoffenheim to get back into the game as Max Beier struck past international team mate Manuel Neuer.

After the break Hoffenheim equalised with 20 minutes to go as Andrej Kramarić ghosted into the area and tapped past Neuer.

Kramarić then got his second of the afternoon with five minutes to go to hand Hoffenheim a surprise lead.

And it got even better for the minnows just seconds later as Kramarić bagged his hat-trick.

But despite this being the final day, we’re still yet to learn the true nature of next season’s European places.

If Bayer Leverkusen with the DFB Pokal against Kaiserslautern next weekend then seventh place becomes a Europa League spot with the team in eighth going into the Europa Conference League.

If Borussia Dortmund win the Champions League at the end of the month, places one to six will play in next season’s competition with the team in seventh qualifying for the Europa League and eighth place in the Conference League.

Elsewhere

Bayer Leverkusen made history as they became the first time to finish at Bundesliga campaign unbeaten.

They got off to the perfect start early on as Victor Boniface capitalised on a defensive error to slot in unopposed for the opening goal.

Robert Andrich then doubled their lead just before the half hour mark with a sensational flick into the back of the net.

After the break Leverkusen seemed to take their foot off the gas somewhat and let Augsburg back into the game as Mert Komur fired in from the edge of the area.

Marco Reus captained Borussia Dortmund in his final home game for the club and he was instrumental in their comprehensive win over Darmstadt.

Ian Maatsen opened the scoring on half hour with a fine effort from long range.

And then Reus completed his fairytale ending with a sensational free kick that whipped over the wall and into the top corner.

The win was complete late on as Julian Brandt fired in from a tight angle.