Freiburg close to Champions League - Kiel and Bochum relegated
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler (R) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Holstein Kiel and SC Freiburg at Holstein Stadium. Claus Bergmann/dpa
Freiburg and Mainz boosted their European ambitions with Bundesliga victories on Saturday at Holstein Kiel and Bochum, respectively, which coupled with other results saw Kiel and Bochum relegated.
Freiburg came from behind through Johan Manzambi late in the first half and Lucas Höler's header in the 58th to beat Kiel 2-1 and remain fourth en route to a first-ever place in the Champions League. The hosts had led from Lasse Rosenboom.
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Freiburg's victory means that they can only be caught by Borussia Dortmund, who are four points back but need to win at 2024 champions Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday to stay in contention.
Mainz are out of the top four race despite their 4-1 at Bochum, and so are RB Leipzig who were held 0-0 at Werder Bremen and won't be in the elite event a seventh straight year.
Mainz took the lead with the last kick of the first half from Nadiem Amiri's curling free-kick. Philipp Mwene and Jonathan Burkardt made it 3-0, before Gerrit Holtmann got a consolation goal and Paul Nebel wrapped up matters for Mainz.
Still up for grabs are one spot each in the Europa League and Conference League, with Mainz in sixth ahead of Leipzig.
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Bochum are relegated for the seventh time at the bottom of the table, and Kiel's hopes of reaching the relegation play-off in their maiden top flight season ended because third last Heidenheim triumphed 3-0 at Union Berlin.
Heidenheim have a small chance to save themselves without a play-off in next week's finale, with St Pauli and Hoffenheim the other strugglers.
Scheduled for later Saturday was Bayern Munich v Borussia Mönchengladbach which Bayern icon Thomas Müller set to play his last home game after 25 years at the club, and Bayern then to receive the trophy after clinching the title last week.
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