Overview
- Leverkusen won the Rhine derby 2-1 on Saturday, turning the match with a rapid sequence late in the first half.
- Said El Mala intercepted a short back pass, rounded the keeper, and hit the post with the goal open, missing a chance to put Köln ahead.
- Minutes after the miss, a handball on Eric Martel drew a contested penalty that Patrik Schick converted for 1-0, and he added a second soon after halftime.
- Luca Waldschmidt pulled one back late, and Köln players and coach said they had enough chances to deserve more but failed to finish.
- The result keeps Köln searching for safety while German outlets likened El Mala’s miss to Frank Mill’s famous 1986 empty-net post, underscoring the moment’s sting.