Away win in Breisgau secures Champions League football for Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt did exactly what they had to do on the final day. The Eagles secured an excellent 3-1 away win to send the club into the Champions League next season.

With Borussia Dortmund taking the lead inside the opening three minutes against Holstein Kiel, it was known that Freiburg needed nothing but three points if they were to qualify for the Champions League.

And the hosts took the lead in the 27th minute to send Europa-Park Stadion into raptures.

A long throw from Phillip Lienhart found centre back Mathias Ginter, who flicked the ball towards Ritsu Doan, who hammered home from inside the box. 

However, with the first half remaining tense, Frankfurt were able to test Noah Atubolu in goal for Freiburg via Hugo Ekitike and Faires Chaibi. Before right on the stroke of half time, Ansgar Knauff was able to capitalise on Lienhart’s inability to clear the ball, before prodding the ball into the far corner to bring the Eagles level going into the break.

Despite the scoreline in Dortmund, Frankfurt would only need a single point to secure a top-four finish.

Even with this in mind, Eintracht continued to push in the second half and took the lead in the 61st minute through a cool finish from Rasmus Kristensen. The Dane’s strike from the edge of the box just had enough legs on it to send the travelling Adler contingent into chaos in the far corner of Europa-Park Stadion.

In pole position for Champions League football, Dino Toppmöller’s men were on their way.

Adding a third just minutes later, Ellyes Skhiri prodded home following a scramble in the box. A lengthy VAR check took place regarding a potential foul from Hugo Ekitike on Max Rosenfelder, however, the goal stood, seeing Eintracht take a two-goal lead on their travels.

A third goal in Dortmund, courtesy of Felix Nmecha, further rubbed salt into the Freiburg wounds, with the hosts in desperate need of a sensational turnaround if they were to achieve their goal.

Seeing the result out after ten minutes of injury time, Eintracht Frankfurt will be playing Champions League football for the first time since the 202/23 season.

For hosts Freiburg, while today’s outcome is disappointing, Julian Schuster’s first year in charge has delivered a Europa League finish after a fantastic year in Breisgau.