BERLIN — Damion Downs scored in injury time to keep alive Cologne’s Bundesliga survival hopes Saturday with a 3-2 home win over Union Berlin, which is also fighting against the drop.
Cologne had to win to have any hope of escaping relegation, and the team came from two goals down to defer its fate to the final round next weekend.
It was the first time Union ever lost a Bundesliga game after enjoying a two-goal lead. And it came despite the club firing Nenad Bjelica as coach on Monday and reappointing Marco Grote as interim coach.
“The path hasn’t changed. It’s clear that it hasn’t gotten any easier because we lost,” Grote said.
Steffen Tigges equalized in the 87th minute for Cologne, then Downs headed the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
“The three points are super important, and now we have a final on the last day,” said Cologne’s Timo Hübers, whose team faces promoted Heidenheim away next weekend.
PHOTOS: Downs scores late to keep Cologne up and defer Bundesliga relegation decisions to final day
Union was left relying on Borussia Dortmund beating Mainz later Saturday to avoid dropping into the relegation zone at the end of the day.
“We have to look ahead. It only works together,” Union captain Christopher Trimmel said.
Also, Freiburg drew with Heidenheim 1-1 in Christian Streich’s last home game in charge after more than 12 years as the Freiburg coach.
“Congratulations to Heidenheim for the draw,” Streich said. “If again we can’t win a game at home, my favorite for it to happen against is Heidenheim.”
Streich is the Bundesliga’s longest-serving coach but he said in March he will step down at the end of the season. His final game is at Union Berlin next weekend.
Leipzig drew with Werder Bremen 1-1, as did Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Holstein Kiel could secure its first ever promotion to the Bundesliga later Saturday by avoiding defeat at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf, which is assured of finishing at least third in the second division for the promotion playoff.
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