Soccer-Leipzig up to fourth with 5-1 thrashing of Cologne

(Reuters) – RB Leipzig secured a dominant 5-1 victory over FC Cologne in the Bundesliga on Friday, with Lois Openda scoring twice to help his team move into fourth place in the race for a Champions League spot. The win takes Leipzig to 49 points, placing them two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who will face Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. On the other hand, Cologne remains in a precarious position in 16th place with only 18 points, putting them in the relegation playoff spot.

Leipzig’s Xavi Simmons opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Cologne quickly responded by equalizing three minutes later through Sargis Adamyan, who capitalized on Eric Martel’s header from a corner kick. However, Leipzig regained the lead in the 63rd minute when Simmons set up Openda for his first goal of the game. Openda continued his fine form by scoring again just four minutes later, this time with a superb header, marking his 19th league goal of the season.

In the 70th minute, Amadou Haidara extended Leipzig’s lead to 4-1 with a stunning long-range effort, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess. The victory was sealed in the 82nd minute when substitute Yussuf Poulsen found the back of the net, wrapping up a comprehensive win for Leipzig. The impressive performance solidifies their position as contenders for a coveted spot in the Champions League next season.

The match was a display of Leipzig’s strength and skill, with their dynamic attacking players making a significant impact on the game. Openda’s brace highlighted his goal-scoring ability and importance to the team’s success. The cohesive teamwork and clinical finishing were evident throughout the match, as Leipzig capitalized on their opportunities to secure a convincing victory over Cologne.

With this result, Leipzig continues to assert their presence in the Bundesliga and strengthen their bid for European football next season. The team’s ability to deliver such dominant performances speaks volumes about their ambition and determination to achieve success at the highest level. As they look ahead to future challenges, Leipzig will undoubtedly aim to maintain their momentum and secure a top-four finish in the league.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)