Leverkusen claim last‑minute win over Freiburg in Frauen‑Bundesliga

On the fifth matchday of the Frauen‑Bundesliga, Bayer 04 Leverkusen turned a 9‑minute deficit into a 2‑1 victory over SC Freiburg thanks to a penalty equaliser and a last‑minute strike. Cornelia Kramer’s own goal opened the scoring, but Estrella Merino secured the win in stoppage time.

Early own goal gives Freiburg the lead

In the ninth minute Cornelia Kramer attempted to clear a free kick from Ilayda Acikgöz, but mis‑hit the ball and it ricocheted into her own net, handing Freiburg a 1‑0 lead. The mishap was described as an “unlucky” action by the Danish defender. The own‑goal was dubbed a ‘Bogenlampe’ for its curved trajectory into the goal.

Freiburg struggled to create clear opportunities despite their early advantage, with Emma Memminger’s effort from the edge of the box in the 26th minute sailing wide of the Leverkusen goal. Near the break Paulina Tomasiak and Justine Brandau each saw shots go off target in the 42nd and 43rd minutes respectively.

Early in the second half Leverkusen threatened again when Luca Birkholz found space at the penalty‑area edge, only for Claudia Wenger to make a last‑ditch line save. A foul by Amira Arfaoui on Lilla Turányi in the box awarded a penalty, which Kramer converted in the 56th minute to level the match.

Merino nets stoppage‑time winner

As the game appeared set for a draw, Tomasiak delivered a cross that reached Estrella Merino, who struck home in the 90th minute to give the visitors a 2‑1 lead. The goal was met with jubilant celebrations from the Leverkusen side.

Freiburg maintained a slight numerical superiority in possession but failed to convert their dominance into further goals. Leverkusen, after equalising, grew more assertive in the closing stages, limiting Freiburg’s chances and securing the win. The match was featured on the SWR Aktuell Baden‑Württemberg broadcast on 20 September, underscoring its profile in the women’s calendar.

The result leaves Freiburg seventh on seven points after five games, with their next challenge against 1. FC Köln on 3 October at 16:00. Leverkusen sit sixth with nine points and travel to SV Werder Bremen twelve days later on 2 October.