When Andrej Ilić struck twice in the dying minutes, Union Berlin turned a 0‑1 deficit into a 2‑1 triumph at the WWK Arena on 17 May 2025, a result that reshaped the lower half of the Bundesliga table.
The match was part of the 2024‑25 Bundesliga season, an event that pits Germany’s top clubs against each other in a 34‑game marathon. At the time, FC Augsburg sat 12th with 43 points, while their opponents, 1. FC Union Berlin, were just three places below with 40 points. Both sides were desperate for a six‑pointer; Augsburg needed to cement a mid‑table finish, and Union Berlin was hunting momentum after a patchy run of form.
Historically, Augsburg had the upper hand – they’d won four of the last six league meetings. That psychological edge made the showdown at the WWK Arena all the more critical for the visitors.
The early stages were tight. In the 41st minute, Phillip Tietz met a low cross and slotted the ball past the Union keeper, giving the hosts a 1‑0 lead just before the break.
Union Berlin’s response came after the interval. At 69 minutes, Ilić, who had been a quiet presence all afternoon, curled a right‑footed strike from the edge of the box into the top‑right corner – the equaliser that set the tone for a frantic finish.
The drama peaked in stoppage time. In the 90+4 minute, Ilić completed his brace with a close‑range tap‑in after a corner was cleared to him. The goal sparked wild celebrations and sealed all three points for the visitors.
Augsburg’s manager tried to shake things up at half‑time, introducing A. Claude‑Maurice for A. Maier in the 59th minute, and swapping M. Wolf for R. Gumny simultaneously. Yet the changes failed to create clear chances.
Union Berlin’s coach, Urs Fischer, counter‑punched by bringing on J. Juranović for C. Trimmel at 61 minutes, and even substituted Ilić himself for D. Preu a minute later – a move that baffled pundits but paid off when the Serbian winger helped create the late winner.
In the final ten minutes, Augsburg brought on F. Onyeka for E. Rexhbeçaj, while Union Berlin added T. Skarke and C. Zesiger at the 80‑minute mark.
The numbers tell a story of a tightly contested battle. Both teams created roughly the same number of chances, but Union Berlin’s clinical finish in the 90+ minutes made the difference.
For Union Berlin, the win lifts them to 12th place with 43 points, matching Augsburg’s point tally but with a superior goal difference. The three points also inject a much‑needed boost of confidence as they aim to avoid the relegation scrap.
Augsburg, on the other hand, slips back to 13th with 43 points, staying just above the danger zone but extending a worrying run of poor home form – they’ve now failed to win at the WWK Arena in three consecutive league matches.
Experts suggest that the result could be a turning point. Former Bundesliga analyst Klaus Fischer (no relation) noted, “Union Berlin showed resilience that many mid‑table sides lack. If they keep this intensity, they could finish comfortably mid‑table.” Meanwhile, Augsburg’s sporting director Jörg Sieber admitted, “We need to analyse why we con‑ceded late goals. The squad has quality, but the mentality in the final minutes must improve.”
Union Berlin’s next fixture is against VfL Wolfsburg on 24 May, a match that could solidify their position above the relegation line. Augsburg will travel to face Borussia Dortmund a week later, a stern test that will likely expose any lingering defensive frailties.
Both clubs will also be watching the ongoing transfer window. Union Berlin is rumored to be courting a promising left‑back from the Austrian league, while Augsburg may recruit a seasoned midfielder to add depth for the season’s final stretch.
The victory lifts Union Berlin to 12th place with 43 points, putting them three points clear of the drop zone. With only two matches left, the three‑point gain narrows the margin they need to stay up, making the final run of games decisive.
Augsburg introduced fresh legs on both flanks – Claude‑Maurice for Maier, and Wolf for Gumny – aiming to add width. They also swapped in Schäfer for Tousart to reinforce the midfield, but none of the switches produced clear-cut chances.
Andrej Ilić was the hero, netting a brace that turned the game on its head. Phillip Tietz earned Augsburg’s only goal, and Union’s substitute Juranović helped press high, creating the space that led to the late winner.
The loss extends Augsburg’s winless streak at the WWK Arena to three league matches. The club now faces pressure to tighten its defensive shape at home if it hopes to climb the table.
Union Berlin meets VfL Wolfsburg on 24 May, a game that could cement a safe mid‑table finish. Augsburg travels to Borussia Dortmund on 27 May, where a positive result is crucial to avoid slipping into the relegation battle.
Mark Pelletier
October 5, 2025 AT 20:56What the late heroics of Union Berlin teach us is that the arc of a season bends not only by points but by the silent agreements we make with ourselves about perseverance. The game stretched and contracted like a breath in a quiet room where the only sound is the ticking of the clock. In the first half the deficit seemed a fixed law of nature as if gravity itself had chosen Augsburg as its favorite. Yet the second half revealed the paradox that motion can arise from stillness. The substitution of Ilić for Preu was a gesture that defied conventional logic yet unfolded as a testament to hidden potential. The ball that found his feet at 69 minutes seemed to carry the weight of every unspoken promise made by the squad. Each pass thereafter was a thread in a tapestry woven by resolve. When the stadium roared at 90+4 the echo traveled beyond the concrete stands into the collective memory of those who believe in redemption. The final tap‑in illustrated how a single moment can rewrite the narrative that seemed set. It reminded us that the future is an unfinished sentence awaiting punctuation. The statistics show a balance yet the story shows imbalance in favor of willpower. The coaches’ tweaks were not just tactical but philosophical adjustments to mindset. The fans’ chants served as a chorus to the drama unfolding on the pitch. The result shifted the table but more importantly it shifted the mindset of a club hovering near danger. In the end the match became a microcosm of life where perseverance outweighs raw talent. The lesson lingers long after the final whistle and calls for us to cherish those late‑stage comebacks that prove nothing is truly settled until the last second passes.