Last-gasp Kömür goal seals Augsburg victory in Bochum

FC Augsburg emerged as 2-1 winners in their match against VfL Bochum after a crazy last ten minutes. Despite going down to ten men, Mert Kömür scored a decisive goal with seconds left on the clock.

For the clash on matchday 29 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, head coach Jess Thorup opted to include former Bochum player Keven Schlotterbeck in his starting XI. The 27-year-old replaced Cédric Zesiger, who was sent off in last week’s 3-1 loss against FC Bayern, in the line-up.

VfL Bochum currently find themselves deeply entrenched in a relegation battle and were under a huge amount of pressure following last weekend’s dismal 4-0 loss against VfB Stuttgart. On the other hand, FCA were aiming to keep up their impressive form on the road, having come away with at least a point in their last seven away matches, and set the tone at the start of the game.

The visitors had their first chance in the eighth minute. Claude-Maurice tried his luck from the edge of the box, but his effort only found the side netting. It wouldn’t take long for FCA to break the deadlock, however. Just after the quarter-of-an-hour mark, Samuel Essende brought a long ball down, skilfully spun away from his marker and pulled the trigger. His shot took a deflection off Bernardo and flew into the back of the net to put Augsburg in front (16’). It was Essende’s seventh goal of the season so far.

Bochum looked threatening on the counterattack, however. They almost responded immediately after going behind through Felix Passlack, though his effort from an acute angle went just wide (20’). In the 33rd minute, Finn. Dahmen was called into action and had to show why his stock is so high at the moment. He pulled off a reflex save to deny Sissoko from close range and preserve FCA’s advantage. Shortly before the break, Augsburg almost doubled their lead. Kristijan Jakić rose highest to meet Marius Wolf’s corner at the near post, but Ivan Ordets was quick to react and stopped the ball just before it crossed the line.

Hofmann with the equaliser

Following the interval, Bochum had two chances in quick succession, before Jakić was forced off with an injury. He was replaced by another ex-Bochum man in the form of Elvis Rexhbecaj (55’). Bochum piled on the pressure and had another double chance in the 58th minute. A header from Sissoko and a shot from Hofmann both came close to levelling things up again. VfL would eventually reap their reward just after the hour mark. A Bochum corner was initially cleared, but the ball drifted towards Hofmann at the back post whose header crashed off the underside of the bar and over the line to make it 1-1 (60’).

The hosts didn’t let up after the leveller and continued to threaten, especially from crosses. Thorup reacted, bringing on both Phillip Tietz and Arne Maier who a huge chance to put the away team back in front in the 77th minute. An attack down the left wing resulted in the ball falling to Maier who took aim from around twelve yards out, though he was foiled by a last-ditch block. Just two minutes later, the substitute was given his marching orders. Maier tackled Bernardo with his studs up and was initially booked. However, the yellow card was upgraded to a red after video review and the midfielder had to head back to the dressing room.

Kömür flips the script

But then, ten-man FCA made it 2-1. Tietz played a diagonal pass through to Kömür, bypassing Bochum’s entire backline in the process. One-on-one with Horn, the Augsburg academy product kept his cool and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner. Nine minutes of stoppage time were added on at the end of the match, and it would be Dahmen once again to keep his side in front. A long throw resulted in Pannewig standing unmarked before Dahmen, but FCA’s keeper denied the Bochum midfielder. Dahmen was in the right place at the right time shortly afterwards, parrying Pannewig’s long shot away from danger. 

The full-time whistle finally came in Bochum, confirming Augsburg’s victory. FCA are still unbeaten away from home after the winter break, and the three points mean that their place in the league next year is mathematically certain. Next week, the Fuggerstädter are back in Augsburg for an Easter Sunday clash against Eintracht Frankfurt (20th April, 15:30 CEST).

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