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Wolfsburg win, Cologne upset Schalke in German Bundesliga

Xinhua, May 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Wolfsburg cruised past struggling Paderborn 3-1 to secure their UEFA Champions League ticket for next season while Cologne shocked Schalke 2-0 to close the 32nd round of the German Bundesliga on Sunday.

Bas Dost's brace against newly promoted Paderborn helped the "Wolves" to seal their automatic qualification for the Champions League's group stage.

Courageous Paderborn caught a bright start into the game as Lukas Rupp almost broke the deadlock with just 11 minutes into the game. However, the midfielder pulled wide from promising position inside the box.

Paderborn's goal scoring opportunity seemed to be a wakening call for the "Wolves" as Timm Klose clinically headed home Ricardo Rodriguez' cross at the near post to break the deadlock four minutes later. It was the first goal for the Switzerland international in the Wolfsburg dress.

The visitors gained momentum and doubled the lead only 10 minutes later as Bas Dost extended his tally to 15 goals when he tapped in Ivan Perisic's lob to the far post. Paderborn were unable to recover from the double strike hence Wolfsburg's Dost wrapped up his brace in the closing period to secure the 19th win at the 32nd game of the season.

Paderborn were only able to score their consolation through Lukas Rupp in the dying minutes of the game. With two games remaining in the season, Wolfsburg recaptured the 2nd place in the standings with a two-point advantage to 3rd placed Monchengladbach. Paderborn slipped onto the second last position with a one-point gap to safety.

Elsewhere, newly promoted Cologne ensured their top-flight status for next season as they upset Schalke 2-0.

Cologne opened the scoring through Marcel Risse, who slotted home a rebound from 11 meters at the 34th minute meanwhile Schalke lacked to create threatening opportunities against Cologne's well-positioned defence for most of the time.

As a consequence, Cologne put the game beyond doubt in the closing period when substitute Yannick Gerhardt made it 2-0 on the scoreboards.

Schalke recorded the 11th loss of the season to endanger their UEFA Europa League berth as they slip to the 6th place. After three draws in row Cologne rise to the 10th place. Endi