Germany: Wolfsburg beat Werder Bremen 1-0 to take a step towards the Europa League while Werder moves closer to relegation from the Bundesliga.
They were heading for a largely uneventful 0-0 draw in torrential rain before the 82nd minute, when Wolfsburg’s substitute winger Felix Klaus curled in a cross from the right and Wout Weghorst met it with a bouncing header into the Werder goal.
It was Weghorst’s first goal in seven games.
The result leaves Werder, last a German champion in 2009, in 17th place and facing relegation. That would mean only its second season outside the top division since the Bundesliga was founded.
Werder haven’t won at home in the league since September 1. It is six points off safety and three off Fortuna Düsseldorf in the relegation playoff spot.
On the other hand, Wolfsburg climbed above Hoffenheim into sixth place and a Europa League spot.
Meanwhile, Schalke drew 1-1 away to Union Berlin to avoid a fifth successive defeat but they equalled a unwanted club record by going 12 consecutive league games without a win.
Robert Andrich gave Union the lead on a rapid counterattack, his first goal coming with his 48th shot of the season, but Schalke answered with a powerful long-range strike from Jonjoe Kenny, the right-back on loan from Everton.
Schalke, who were battling for a Champions League spot midway through the season, have now failed to win since Jan. 17 and stayed in 10th place on 38 points. Union climb up to 13th on 32.
Bayern Munich are top on the league with 70 points, seven ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with four games remaining.