Schalke 04 1 - 1 Augsburg: Late equaliser dents Schalke's Champions League hopes

Posted Sunday, May 08, 2016 by PA

Augsburg left it late to dent Schalke's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season and secure their place in the top flight with a 1-1 draw at the Arena AufSchalke.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar put the hosts in front in the 82nd minute but Daniel Baier's 89th-minute equaliser leaves the Royal Blues three points off fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach and likely to miss out on Champions League football next season.

While Augsburg were still not mathematically safe, they nevertheless allowed their hosts to do all of the work, appearing happy to sit back and defend a point which would probably see them home and dry.

Schalke struggled to find a way through, though, with a Leroy Sane deflected free-kick their first shot of the first half and that came from 35 yards.

Huntelaar took the next free-kick and he went even closer to scoring with his effort striking the outside of the left-hand post, before Sane sent another set-piece over the crossbar.

Alfred Finnbogason headed Augsburg's only real chance of the first half over the crossbar just seconds before the half-time whistle sounded.

With Gladbach and Mainz in front, a goal was needed for Schalke to keep their qualification hopes alive, and they found it with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Junior Caicara's cross was met at the near post by Huntelaar and he threaded his shot inside Marwin Hitz's near post to spark scenes of celebration inside the Arena AufSchalke.

The mood changed completely in the 89th minute, though, when Baier drilled in a 25-yard effort which ensured Augsburg's place in the Bundesliga next season and prompted a chorus of boos from the home fans as they seem set to miss out on Champions League football next season.