Wolfsburg and Cologne share the spoils in six-goal thriller to remain unbeaten
Wolfsburg and Cologne shared six goals in a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at the Volkswagen Arena as both sides remain unbeaten after three matchdays this season.
Wolfsburg 3-3 Cologne
Goals: 0-1 Waldschmidt 5’ (assist: Thielmann), 1-1 Amoura 42’ (assist: Arnold), 2-1 Majer 65’ (assist: Mæhle), 2-2 Jóhannesson 90’+1 (assist: El Mala), 3-2 Arnold 90’+9, 3-3 Kamiński 90’+14 (assist: Ache)
On a day when Wolfsburg celebrated their 80th anniversary with a special commemorative jersey and fan displays, it was two former Wolves who came to spoil the party.
The hosts came into the match without a home win in their last nine Bundesliga games – a club negative record – while visitors Cologne arrived full of confidence after winning their opening two fixtures of the season.
Christian Eriksen, recently signed by Wolfsburg on a free transfer, was named on the bench for the hosts as head coach Paul Simonis made two changes from their 1-1 draw against Mainz, bringing in Mohamed Amoura and Joakim Mæhle for their first starts of the season.
Early goal and stormy interruption
Cologne wasted no time in asserting themselves, taking the lead after just five minutes. Marius Bülter advanced down the left flank and cut the ball back to Jan Thielmann, whose shot was parried by Kamil Grabara, allowing Luca Waldschmidt to pounce on the rebound. The former Wolfsburg striker, making his first start of the season, had now scored five Bundesliga goals against his old club – more than against any other team.
The hosts struggled to respond as Cologne dominated the opening exchanges, but the game took an unexpected turn in the 24th minute when referee Bastian Dankert was forced to halt proceedings due to lightning over the Volkswagen Arena.
After a 10-minute interruption, the teams returned to the pitch, and the break appeared to benefit the Wolves who gradually gained a foothold in the match. Their improved performance was rewarded three minutes before half-time when Amoura leapt impressively to head home a pinpoint free-kick from Maximilian Arnold.
Dramatic finale with late twists
Cologne thought they had retaken the lead in the 56th minute when Bülter turned in a free-kick from Ísak Jóhannesson – who had replaced Waldschmidt at half-time – but after a lengthy VAR review, referee Dankert ruled out the goal for a foul in the build-up.
The hosts capitalised on this reprieve in the 65th minute when Kilian Fischer played Mæhle into the area, and the Danish full-back squared for Lovro Majer to tap in from close range.
Cologne pushed forward in search of an equaliser, introducing several attacking substitutions, and their persistence paid off in the first minute of added time. Teenager Saïd El Mala brilliantly beat several defenders before setting up Jóhannesson to sweep home.
The drama was far from over, as Arnold restored Wolfsburg's lead with a stunning free-kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time, only for Jakub Kamiński – on loan from Wolfsburg – to equalise for the visitors five minutes later, sliding in Ragnar Ache's knockdown to complete an extraordinary 3-3 draw.
Player of the Match: Luca Waldschmidt
Waldschmidt made a significant impact on his return to the Volkswagen Arena, scoring the opening goal against his former employers. The 27-year-old striker, who played for Wolfsburg from 2021 to 2023, showed excellent predatory instincts to react quickest to Grabara's parry and slot home. Though substituted at half-time, his early strike set the tone for the match and continued his remarkable record against the Wolves – he has now scored more goals against Wolfsburg than any other Bundesliga club. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award despite playing only 45 minutes, highlighting his effectiveness during his time on the pitch.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 1.48 - Cologne 1.6
Fastest player: Joël Schmied (Cologne), 34.34 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-2 by Maximilian Arnold (Wolfsburg), 8.31 percent
Most pressed player: Joakim Mæhle (Wolfsburg), 16 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Kilian Fischer (Wolfsburg), +2.96
Fantasy Heroes: Maximilian Arnold (Wolfsburg, 340 Points), Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg, 243 Points), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg, 232 Points)
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