Timo Werner’s first-half goal and Emil Forsberg’s second-half penalty were enough to see RB Leipzig past a spirited Freiburg side and into next year’s UEFA Champions League.

RB Leipzig 2-1 Freiburg
Goals: 1-0 Werner (19'), 1-1 Grifo (66'), 2-1 Forsberg (pen. 78')

With Champions League football and Bundesliga security in the balance, neither Leipzig nor Freiburg were in any mood to concede early. Freiburg striker Lucas Höler had the first big chance of the match, after being played in from the left, before Yussuf Poulsen had a near-identical opportunity at the other end. Leipzig took the lead inside 20 minutes after Poulsen charged through on the left and squared to Werner in the centre of the box. The striker pivoted smartly and dispatched a quick shot just inside the post from an acute angle. After taking the lead, the home side seemed content to let Freiburg have the ball, and looked to try to find a second on the counter-attack. The visitors bossed possession, but could not find an equaliser before the break.

The early stages of the second half saw a more physical approach from both teams, with yellow cards being shown to both sets of players. The tactic paid off for Leipzig until Freiburg were awarded a free-kick just outside the area in the 66th minute. Peter Gulacsi was still organising his defenders into a wall when Vincenzo Grifo curled the ball over them to level the scores. Furious as he was, the Leipzig keeper suddenly found himself called into action to make some crucial saves, as Freiburg enjoyed renewed verve after their equaliser. Their promising play was undone, however, by a Keven Schlotterbeck handball with less than a quarter of an hour remaining. Substitute Forsberg fired the resulting spot-kick into the bottom left corner to restore his side’s lead. Freiburg fought hard for another equaliser that never came, leaving them still needing a point to ensure Bundesliga football next season. Leipzig, on the other hand, could celebrate their qualification for the group stage of next season’s Champions League.

Timo Werner (l.) opened the scoring for the hosts with his 15th goal of the season. - imago images / Jan Huebner

Match stats

• Thanks to their victory and Frankfurt’s draw against Hertha, Leipzig are now assured of Champions League football next season.
• Werner scored his 10th Bundesliga goal against Freiburg in as many matches. He has scored more goals against the Black Forest club than any other team.
• Forsberg converted his third penalty of the season.
• Leipzig are the only current Bundesliga club where Freiburg have not yet picked up a point.
• Grifo scored his second free-kick of the season. His first was against Augsburg on Matchday 23.
• As they failed to pick up at least a point, Freiburg’s Bundesliga status is not yet secure.

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Line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi – Mukiele (Klostermann 75'), Konate, Orban (c), Halstenberg - Sabitzer, Kampl, Haidara (Forsberg 71'), Laimer - Poulsen, Werner (Ilsanker 83')
Unused subs: Müller, Cunha, Augustin, Demme
Out: Adams (groin), Mvogo (knee), Smith Rowe (groin), Upamecano (knee)
Coach: Ralf Rangnick

Freiburg: Schwolow – K. Schlotterbeck, Heintz, N. Schlotterbeck – Grifo, Abrashi (Gondorf 58'), Höfler, Günter - Haberer, Frantz (c) (Stenzel 79') – Höler (Niederlechner 87')
Unused subs: Frommann, Terrazzino, Borrello, Koch
Out: Flekken (groin), Gulde (back), Kleindienst (knee), Kübler (ankle), Lienhart (concussion), Petersen (hamstring), Sallai (groin)
Coach: Christian Streich

About the clubs

RB Leipzig

Red Bull Arena

Sport-Club Freiburg

Europa-Park Stadion