Leipzig seal Champions League berth in Bundesliga

RB Leipzig confirmed their Champions League return with a controlled two‑one win over struggling St. Pauli on a dramatic Bundesliga afternoon. Goals from Xaver Schlager and Willi Orban sealed third place with a match to spare, while leaving the visitors entrenched in the relegation zone. Captain David Raum praised the squad’s resilience, telling supporters they had handled intense pressure and earned the right to celebrate.

St. Pauli, who had scored only four times in their previous eight matches, again paid for wastefulness, missing several counter‑attacking chances before Schlager hooked in the opener from a corner just before half‑time. Orban doubled the advantage with a superb header early in the second half, though Abdoulie Ceesay struck late to offer brief hope. The defeat keeps St. Pauli second from bottom ahead of a decisive final‑day showdown with Wolfsburg. Elsewhere, Stuttgart strengthened their grip on fourth place by beating Bayer Leverkusen three‑one.