Impressive Union beats Cologne to climb to fifth place, Mateta hattrick gives Mainz first win of season

Union Berlin's Max Kruse scored a second-half winner as the side snatched a 2-1 victory at Cologne on Sunday to stretch its record unbeaten run to seven Bundesliga matches and climb to fifth place.

Kruse scored on the rebound in the 72nd minute after Cologne goalkeeper Timo Horn saved his penalty, denying the 32-year-old forward a league record of 17 consecutive successful spot kicks.

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Taiwo Awoniyi had put the in-form visitor, unbeaten on the road this season, ahead in the 27th minute before Ellyes Skhiri pulled Cologne level with a close-range effort.

The defeat means Cologne is without a win in its last 18 Bundesliga matches, matching its club record, while also equalling the club record of 10 home games without a win.

Union is on 15 points in fifth -- its best ever position -- while Cologne, which hit the woodwork with the last kick of the game, dropped to second-bottom on three after eight games.

Mateta hattrick helps Mainz romp home

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hattrick on Sunday to lead Mainz to its first win of the season with a 3-1 victory at Freiburg.

The French striker got the visitor off to a flying start in the second minute, grabbed his second goal in the 34th, and his third in the 40th, as Freiburg endured a first half to forget against what was the league’s bottom team.

Freiburg captain Nils Petersen pulled one back in the 63rd but Mainz held on for its first win under new coach Jan-Moritz Lichte at the sixth attempt.

Mainz’s win leaves Schalke bottom after the eighth round.