FC Augsburg continued their impressive run of form with a 2-0 victory over 1. FC Köln in Friday night’s Bundesliga clash.
Rodrigo Ribeiro found the net for the second consecutive match, breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The forward cleverly flicked home with a backheel after meeting a precise cutback from U.S. defender Noahkai Banks, handing the hosts a deserved advantage.
Augsburg sealed the result in dramatic fashion deep into stoppage time. With Köln committing everyone forward for a late corner, Alexis Claude-Maurice capitalised on the counterattack, racing clear before calmly slotting into an empty net with the final touch of the contest.
The victory marked Augsburg’s fifth win in six outings and lifted them to ninth place, level on points with Eintracht Frankfurt just above them in the standings.
Köln, plagued by four muscle-related absences, struggled to cope. Coach Lukas Kwasniok described the injury situation as the toughest he has experienced.
Despite a spirited first-half display, which saw Eric Martel’s header rattle the crossbar, the visitors failed to convert their chances.
Wearing a special edition kit celebrating the city’s heritage, Augsburg made their opportunities count after the break, extending their unbeaten home run in the league to a club-record-equalling eight matches.
Köln’s inconsistent form continues, with just one win in their last six league games, leaving them 12th on the table.
