RB Leipzig sealed qualification for next season’s Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St. Pauli in the Bundesliga race for Europe.
Goals from Xaver Schlager and Willi Orban secured third place for Leipzig with one game remaining, while plunging St. Pauli deeper into relegation trouble.
“We were under a lot of pressure this season, but we are a great group, and we rose to it,” Leipzig captain David Raum told fans after the match.
“We have achieved our goal now, so let’s all have a drink and party all night long,” he added.
St. Pauli, who had managed only four goals in their previous eight league games, were left frustrated by missed opportunities after wasting several promising counter-attacks.
Leipzig capitalised just before halftime when Schlager reacted quickest at a corner to hook home the opening goal.
Orban doubled the lead after the break with a powerful header before Abdoulie Ceesay grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
The defeat leaves St. Pauli second from bottom ahead of a decisive final-day showdown against fellow strugglers VfL Wolfsburg.
“We have to approach the last game like it’s a war,” St. Pauli’s Louis Oppie told DAZN.
While Leipzig are now guaranteed to finish behind champions Bayern Munich and runners-up Borussia Dortmund, the battle for the final Champions League spot remains wide open.
VfB Stuttgart moved into pole position for fourth place after a crucial 3-1 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Leverkusen stunned the home crowd after just 34 seconds when Aleix Garcia tapped home following a costly error by Stuttgart defender Ramon Hendriks.
Stuttgart responded quickly, with Ermedin Demirovic levelling after a slick passing move before winning the penalty that allowed Maximilian Mittelstadt to put the hosts ahead with a composed chipped finish.
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