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Dortmund beats Union Berlin to keep CL hopes alive

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Dortmund beats Union Berlin to keep CL hopes alive
Sport

Sport

Dortmund beats Union Berlin to keep CL hopes alive

2021-04-22 04:44 Last Updated At:04:50

Raphaël Guerreiro scored late for Borussia Dortmund to seal a hard-fought 2-0 Bundesliga win over Union Berlin on Wednesday and maintain its Champions League qualification hopes.

Marco Reus’ first-half goal set Dortmund on its way to a win that keeps it four points behind Eintracht Frankfurt in the last qualification place for the Champions League with four games of the season remaining.

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Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Raphaël Guerreiro scored late for Borussia Dortmund to seal a hard-fought 2-0 Bundesliga win over Union Berlin on Wednesday and maintain its Champions League qualification hopes.

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Union forward Markus Ingvartsen struck the crossbar in the first minute and the visitors maintained their early pressure.

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Luthe then atoned by saving Erling Haaland’s penalty, and his effort from the rebound, before defender Robin Knoch’s attempted clearance off the line went in off the inrushing Reus.

Dortmund players celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Haaland endured a frustrating game, foiled by Luthe again in the 86th, before he hit the side netting in injury time.

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro, second from left, shoots to score his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Hertha has played two games less. Hertha was supposed to host Freiburg earlier Wednesday, but three of its games were called off as the team is in quarantine for two weeks following a coronavirus outbreak at the club.

Union's Robin Knoche reacts as Dortmund's Marco Reus, left, celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Union's Christopher Trimmel, left, and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Union's Christopher Trimmel, left, and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's goalkeeper Marwin Hitz jumps for the ball after a free kick by Union's Max Kruse during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's goalkeeper Marwin Hitz jumps for the ball after a free kick by Union's Max Kruse during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

But Union left the result in doubt until the 88th minute, when Julian Brandt set up Guerreiro to score on a counterattack.

Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Union forward Markus Ingvartsen struck the crossbar in the first minute and the visitors maintained their early pressure.

Dortmund’s breakthrough in the 25th minute had more than a touch of fortune.

Union goalkeeper Andrea Luthe was penalized for bringing down Reus, though replays suggested it was a dive. Still, the penalty was given after a VAR check.

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Luthe then atoned by saving Erling Haaland’s penalty, and his effort from the rebound, before defender Robin Knoch’s attempted clearance off the line went in off the inrushing Reus.

Luthe made another good save to deny Haaland again shortly afterward.

Union struck the goal-frame again midway through the second half, when Marwin Hitz got his fingertips to Max Kruse’s free kick.

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Haaland endured a frustrating game, foiled by Luthe again in the 86th, before he hit the side netting in injury time.

Third-place Wolfsburg stayed on track for Champions League qualification with a 3-1 win at Stuttgart. Wolfsburg is five points ahead of Dortmund.

Mainz defeated relegation rival Werder Bremen 1-0 away to overtake the home side and move five points clear of Hertha Berlin in the relegation zone.

Dortmund players celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Dortmund players celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Hertha has played two games less. Hertha was supposed to host Freiburg earlier Wednesday, but three of its games were called off as the team is in quarantine for two weeks following a coronavirus outbreak at the club.

Also, Hoffenheim came from two goals down at half time to beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-2.

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro, second from left, shoots to score his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro, second from left, shoots to score his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Union's Robin Knoche reacts as Dortmund's Marco Reus, left, celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Union's Robin Knoche reacts as Dortmund's Marco Reus, left, celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Union's Christopher Trimmel, left, and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Union's Christopher Trimmel, left, and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's goalkeeper Marwin Hitz jumps for the ball after a free kick by Union's Max Kruse during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's goalkeeper Marwin Hitz jumps for the ball after a free kick by Union's Max Kruse during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(AP PhotoMartin Meissner, pool)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

Dortmund's Erling Haaland shoots on goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.(Christof KoepselPool via AP)

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Fürth relegated from Bundesliga, Union Berlin beats Leipzig

2022-04-24 00:29 Last Updated At:00:30

Greuther Fürth was relegated from the Bundesliga after losing at home to Champions League candidate Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 on Saturday.

Jetro Willems gave the enthusiastic home fans some hope of a miraculous escape with the opening goal in the fifth minute, but Patrik Schick answered four minutes later and Sardar Azmoun, Paulinho and Exequiel Palacios piled on for the visitors.

Fürth remained bottom of the league after 31 games – 12 points from safety with three games remaining.

Fuerth's players Sebastian Griesbeck, left, and Timothy Tillman, right, walk across the pitch after the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. Greuther Fürth has been relegated from the Bundesliga with a 4-1 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Fuerth's players Sebastian Griesbeck, left, and Timothy Tillman, right, walk across the pitch after the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. Greuther Fürth has been relegated from the Bundesliga with a 4-1 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Coach Stefan Leitl’s team was promoted last year when it finished second in the second division, but it never recovered from a poor start to the Bundesliga despite encouraging performances in the second half of the season. Fürth lost all but one of its first 14 games until it claimed its first win in the 15th round by beating Union Berlin.

Also on Saturday, Union came from behind thanks to substitute Sven Michel to beat Leipzig 2-1 away and atone for its loss to Leipzig in their German Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Michel equalized in the 86th then set up Kevin Behrens with his heel for a dramatic winner in the 89th as Union won in Leipzig for the first time.

Fuerth's players walk across the pitch after the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. Greuther Fürth has been relegated from the Bundesliga with a 4-1 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Fuerth's players walk across the pitch after the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. Greuther Fürth has been relegated from the Bundesliga with a 4-1 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

The end of Leipzig’s 15-game unbeaten run across all competitions allowed Leverkusen to reclaim third place. Leverkusen dropped to fourth last weekend with a loss at home to Leipzig, but the sides have switched positions again, leaving Leipzig in the last qualification place for the Champions League.

Freiburg was fifth after coming from two goals down to lead Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-2 only to concede the equalizer in injury time to Gladbach’s Lars Stindl.

Cologne was seventh behind Union after a 3-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld, which remained second from bottom and the favorite to join Fürth in the second division.

Union's Sven Michel, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Union Berlin in Leipzig, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Jan Woitasdpa via AP)

Union's Sven Michel, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Union Berlin in Leipzig, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Jan Woitasdpa via AP)

Also, Eintracht Frankfurt drew with Hoffenheim 2-2.

Bayern Munich hosted main rival Borussia Dortmund in “der Klassiker” late Saturday, when the Bavarian powerhouse was hoping to seal what would be a record-extending 10th consecutive title.

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Leverkusen's scorer Exequiel Palacios, left, and his teammate Paulinho celebrate their side's fourth goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Leverkusen's scorer Exequiel Palacios, left, and his teammate Paulinho celebrate their side's fourth goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP

Freiburg's Christian Guenter celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SC Freiburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022 (Tom Wellerdpa via AP)

Freiburg's Christian Guenter celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SC Freiburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022 (Tom Wellerdpa via AP)

Frankfurt's Daichi Kamada, center, scores his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Arne Dedertdpa via AP)

Frankfurt's Daichi Kamada, center, scores his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Arne Dedertdpa via AP)

Cologne's scorer Anthony Modeste, left, and Jannes Horn, right, celebrate their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween 1. FC Cologne  and Arminia Bielefeld in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Marius Beckerdpa via AP)

Cologne's scorer Anthony Modeste, left, and Jannes Horn, right, celebrate their side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween 1. FC Cologne and Arminia Bielefeld in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Marius Beckerdpa via AP)

Frankfurt's head coach Oliver Glasner gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Arne Dedertdpa via AP)

Frankfurt's head coach Oliver Glasner gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Arne Dedertdpa via AP)

Leverkusen's Sardar Azmoun celebrates his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Leverkusen's Sardar Azmoun celebrates his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SpVgg Greuther Fuerth and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Daniel Karmanndpa via AP)

Freiburg's head coach Christian Streich gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SC Freiburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Tom Wellerdpa via AP)

Freiburg's head coach Christian Streich gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SC Freiburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Tom Wellerdpa via AP)

Moenchengladbach's Kouadio Kone, left, and Freiburg's Vincenzo Grifo, right, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SC Freiburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Tom Wellerdpa via AP)

Moenchengladbach's Kouadio Kone, left, and Freiburg's Vincenzo Grifo, right, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween SC Freiburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (Tom Wellerdpa via AP)

Leipzig's goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, right, saves the ball against Union's Taiwo Awoniyi, left, during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween RB Leipzig and 1. FC Union Berlin in Leipzig, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. ( Jan Woitasdpa via AP)

Leipzig's goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, right, saves the ball against Union's Taiwo Awoniyi, left, during the German Bundesliga soccer match bettween RB Leipzig and 1. FC Union Berlin in Leipzig, Germany, Saturday, April 23, 2022. ( Jan Woitasdpa via AP)