Christian Streich sees the yellow card from referee Felix Brych.during a German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Union Berlin in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
The Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) - Patrik Schick scored twice to shoot Bayer Leverkusen into the Champions League with a 4-2 win at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Union Berlin stunned Freiburg 4-1 to dampen its Champions League hopes. Union secured at least a place in the Europa Conference League for the second season in a row after already achieving its best Bundesliga season.
Sixth-placed Union, which was promoted only in 2019, has a two-point lead over Cologne in their tussle for Europa League qualification. Cologne lost at home to Wolfsburg 1-0.
Hertha Berlin failed to secure its survival as it lost at home to Mainz 2-1.
Also, second-placed Borussia Dortmund defeated already relegated Greuther Fürth 3-1 away in Stefan Leitl's last game as Fürth coach. Leitl, who led the team to promotion last season, is leaving after 3 1/2 years in charge.
SHARP-SHOOTING SCHICK
Leverkusen was made to work hard for its result against Hoffenheim, which was hoping to keep its European qualification chances alive.
Schick took his tally to 24 goals in 26 league appearances. Leverkusen twice came from behind to secure third place, irrespective of what happens in its final game against Freiburg next weekend.
The top four in Germany qualify for the Champions League.
FREIBURG STUMBLES
Freiburg's defeat at home to Union gave Leipzig the chance to move to fourth by avoiding defeat at home to Augsburg on Sunday.
Freiburg, which also faces Leipzig in the German Cup final on May 21, was rocked by three first-half goals from Union.
Freiburg coach Christian Streich was booked for his furious reaction to an apparent infringement though it was unclear what it was.
COLOGNE'S MIXED EMOTIONS
Though it lost at home to Wolfsburg, Cologne clinched qualification for the Europa Conference League due to Hoffenheim's loss to Leverkusen.
Cologne fans stormed the pitch in celebration though the players weren't in the mood after hoping for more. Cologne captain Jonas Hector, who was lying on the field in disappointment, quickly left.
HERTHA LEFT HANGING
Hertha missed the chance to clinch survival after being outplayed by a Mainz team playing mainly for pride. Even so, Hertha's Davie Selke had a second equalizer ruled out for a push on a defender.
Bayern Munich can do Hertha a favor on Sunday by beating relegation rival Stuttgart.
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Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP
Union Berlin's Sheraldo Becker, left, in action with Freiburg's Nico Schlotterbeck center during a German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Union Berlin in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. a(Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
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Union Berlin's Andras Schäfer, left, in action against Freiburg's Nicolas Höfler during a German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Union Berlin in Freiburg, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. a(Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
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Cologne's Anthony Modeste, right, and Wolfsburg's Max Kruse try to get the ball during a Geman Bundesliga match between 1.FC Cologne and VfL Wolfsburg in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)
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Cologne's Anthony Modeste and Wolfsburg's Ridle Baku challenge for the ball during a German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and VfL Wolfs urg in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)
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Dortmund's Julian Brandt, left, celebrates with his colleague Erling Haaland after scoring the 0:1 in a German Bundesliga soccer match between Greuther Fuerth and Borussia Dortmund in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP)
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Dortmund's Erling Haaland lies on a German Bundesliga soccer match between Greuther Fuerth and Borussia Dortmund in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP)
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Dortmund's Felix Passlack, left, celebrates with his colleagues Erling Haaland , Nico Schulz, right and Julian Brandt after scoring the third goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between Greuther Fuerth and Borussia Dortmund in Fuerth, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP)
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Hoffenheim's Georginio Rutter, right, scores the opening goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and 1.FC Cologne in Sinsheim, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
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Hoffenheim's goal scorer Georginio Rutter, 2nd left, celebrates with team mates during a German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and 1.FC Cologne in Sinsheim, Germany, Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
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Hertha fans during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
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Mainz fans during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
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Hertha's Davie Selke celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
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Hertha's Marc Oliver Kempf, left, and Mainz's Jonathan Burkardt during the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
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Mainz's Silvan Widmer, right, celebrates scoring with teammate Dominik Kohr duirng the Bundesliga soccer match between Hertha BSC and FSV Mainz at Olympiastadion, Berlin, Saturday May 7, 2022. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
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