Bundesliga
Cologne marked their Bundesliga return with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mainz, thanks to Marius Bülter's header in added time after Paul Nebel's red card had given the Billy Goats a man advantage.
Mainz 0–1 Cologne
Goals: 0-1 Bülter 90'+1 (assist: Waldschmidt)
Red cards: Nebel 60’
Newly promoted Cologne faced a stern test at Mainz's MEWA Arena, where the hosts were unbeaten in their previous 13 home matches. While the 05ers came into the fixture fresh from European action against Rosenborg in the UEFA Conference League play-offs, Lukas Kwasniok's Billy Goats were looking to make an immediate impact on their top-flight return after winning the Bundesliga 2 title last season.
The home side started brightly with Paul Nebel having an early opportunity blocked by the Cologne defence just three minutes in, but their attacking momentum was halted by a first-half injury to summer signing Benedict Hollerbach, who was replaced by Nelson Weiper.
Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in a competitive first half, the best opportunity before the break falling to Jakub Kamiński, whose effort from inside the box was parried away by Robin Zentner as the teams went into half-time goalless.
Cologne came out firing after the restart, however, with Jan Thielmann missing a glorious chance in the 49th minute after brilliant link-up play between Bülter and Kamiński down the left.
The match's turning point arrived on the hour mark when Mainz had a penalty appeal waved away following Anthony Caci's fall in the Billy Goats' area. In the ensuing counter-attack, Nebel brought down Kamiński as the last defender, leaving referee Tobias Stieler no choice but to brandish a straight red card.
The hosts reorganised with a triple substitution in the 65th minute as Silvan Widmer, Stefan Bell, and Lennard Maloney entered the fray, and even threatened when Widmer saw two efforts blocked in the 83rd minute.
Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, the visitors found their breakthrough in second-half stoppage time. Substitute Luca Waldschmidt, who had replaced Sebastian Sebulonsen in the 74th minute, delivered a precise cross to the near post, where Bülter expertly glanced his header beyond Zentner's reach.
The goal came after numerous waves of pressure and, despite a lengthy 13 minutes of added time, Mainz couldn't find an equaliser. Jae-sung Lee came closest with a headed effort in the 100th minute, but the Cologne defence held firm to secure a perfect return to Bundesliga football and give Kwasniok a debut victory in Germany's top flight.
While Bülter may have grabbed the headlines with his decisive goal, it was goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe who laid the foundation for Cologne's triumph. The 29-year-old shot-stopper made several crucial saves and his commanding presence in the box was vital in dealing with Mainz's eight corner kicks. He deservedly claimed the Player of the Match award with 34 percent of the votes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mainz 1.51 - Cologne 1.54
Fastest player: Saïd El Mala (Cologne), 34.38 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Marius Bülter (Cologne), 42 percent
Most pressed player: Jae-sung Lee (Mainz), 17 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Luca Waldschmidt (Cologne), +1.84
Fantasy Heroes: Marius Bülter (Cologne, 213 Points), Jakub Kamiński (Cologne, 206 Points), Timo Hübers (Cologne, 185 Points)