Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions for an 11th consecutive season after a 2-1 win at Cologne snatched the title away from Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, May 27.
Dortmund, who entered a pulsating final day two points clear at the top, were denied being crowned champions for the first time in 11 years after they drew 2-2 at home to Mainz, losing out on goal difference.
Bayern Munich knew they needed to beat Cologne and hope for a favour from Mainz, and having led through Kingsley Coman’s stunning eighth-minute strike, the defending champions moved top as Mainz raced into a two-goal lead in the first half at Dortmund.
Andreas Hanche-Olsen gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute to shock Signal Iduna Park.
Two minutes later, Dortmund were handed a reprieve after a foul inside the box by Dominik Kohr – but Sebastien Haller’s penalty was saved by Finn Dahmen.
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Matters got even worse for the hosts in the 24th minute when Karim Onisiwo rose to head home Jae-Sung Lee’s cross from the left.
Dortmund only began their response with 21 minutes remaining as Raphael Guerreiro’s shot from Gio Reyna’s pass found the bottom corner.
Edin Terzic’s side still needed two goals to win the match and the championship – provided Bayern stayed ahead in Cologne.
That however changed when a handball by Serge Gnabry allowed Dejan Ljubicic to level from the spot.
Dortmund fans believed and prayed for the intervention from elsewhere to be upheld, but those hopes were dashed with two minutes of normal time remaining as Gnabry set up Jamal Musiala for a decisive blow.
Niklas Sule levelled in the 96th minute at Dortmund – but there was not enough time for a winner.
Dortmund finished on 71 points – the same as Bayern following their victory – but with an inferior goal difference of 15 on one of the most dramatic ends to any Bundesliga season.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig and Union Berlin are third and fourth, respectively, and will also compete in the Champions League next season.
Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 were relegated, while VfB Stuttgart will go into the relegation playoff.
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