News Focus
- Heidenheim claim first away victory of the year with 3-1 success at Köln
- Jan Schöppner scores twice to help side escape bottom of the table
- Arijon Ibrahimović nets one goal and provides assists from the wing
- Bottom three clubs now level on 26 points ahead of final matchday
- Köln face champions Bayern Munich in last game of disappointing campaign
Heidenheim climbed out of the Bundesliga relegation zone for the first time this season after beating Köln away from home. The visitors claimed a 3-1 victory at the RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday.
Frank Schmidt’s side secured their first away win of 2026 thanks to two goals from Jan Schöppner and one from Arijon Ibrahimović. The result leaves Heidenheim level on 26 points with St. Pauli and Wolfsburg at the bottom of the table.
The clash started quickly. Schöppner headed home the opener after just seven minutes. Cenk Özkacar made a mistake at the back, and Ibrahimović delivered a perfect cross for the midfielder to score.
Köln fought back straight away. Marius Bülter found the equaliser two minutes later with a powerful shot from a tight angle. The 33-year-old winger has now scored in consecutive games for the first time this campaign.
Heidenheim’s attack continued to cause problems on the pitch. Ibrahimović restored their lead before half-time with a strong finish that Kristoffer Lund could not stop. The visitors went into the break ahead despite Köln creating chances.
The second period saw more end-to-end action. Schöppner wasted a clear opportunity to score his second when Ibrahimović set him up on the hour mark. However, the midfielder made up for this miss later in the game.
He scored his second goal with a calm finish after finding himself in a good position inside the box. This came shortly after substitute Florian Kainz entered the pitch for his final home appearance for Köln.
Köln tried to get back into the match. Bülter nearly scored again in the 77th minute, but goalkeeper Frank Feller made an excellent save to deny him. Dominique Heintz also came on for his farewell appearance at the stadium.
The win moves Heidenheim above St. Pauli on goal difference. Wolfsburg sit just three goals ahead of Heidenheim in the safety zone.
The relegation battle will go down to the final day of the season next weekend. Heidenheim will host Mainz at home. Meanwhile, St. Pauli face Wolfsburg in a direct clash that could decide which team drops to the second division.
Köln will end their season against Bayern Munich. The league champions will lift the Meisterschale after that match at the Allianz Arena.