Scored the golden goal on his starting eleven debut. Said El Mala will never forget the day he scored Viktoria Köln’s winner against VfB Lübeck.

Duels in the basement are on the agenda in the 3rd division on Sunday. Before MSV Duisburg travel to Arminia Bielefeld in the evening, VfB Lübeck had the chance to fight their way back into the non-relegation places at Viktoria Köln.

However, Viktoria also had to keep their eyes on the bottom, meaning that coach Olaf Janßen’s team were also under pressure. Viktoria dealt with this better, winning narrowly 1:0 (1:0).

Cologne were the more dominant team before the break, having almost 70 percent possession. However, the visitors, who had arrived with their new coach Jens Martens, had the best chance.

After a counter-attack, it was Robin Velasco who played the ball perfectly from the right into the middle to Marius Hauptmann, who was free through and then failed to beat Cologne goalkeeper Ben Voll from twelve meters out on the half-left.

Lübeck then claimed a penalty shortly before the break. And after the foul on Marius Hauptmann, the whistle would have been justified. Luckily for Viktoria, who were able to exploit their superiority after the break.

After 66 minutes, it was 17-year-old Said El Mala who scored on his starting debut. He went into a direct duel on the baseline and scored from the left from a very acute angle into the top right corner.

Lübeck had no answer to the 0:1. The will was there, but the penultimate team simply could not find the means to create chances to equalize.

A very important three-pointer for Viktoria to avoid getting into serious relegation trouble. For VfB, it is becoming increasingly difficult to reach the safety zone.

Viktoria Köln continue their campaign next Saturday (April 6, 2 p.m.) at 1860 Munich. VfB Lübeck play at home against SC Verl at the same time.

How Viktoria Köln and VfB Lübeck played

Cologne: Voll – Koronkiewicz, Schultz (90th Kubatta), Dietz, Handle (52nd May) – Russo, Lorch – De Meester (72nd Hong), Engelhardt – Becker, El Mala (71st Idel). – Coach: Janßen

Lübeck: Stein – Thiel (79. Gözüsirin), Kastenhofer, Reddemann, Egerer – Taffertshofer (81. Grupe), Boland – Hauptmann, Schneider (79. Sternberg), Velasco (71. Pulido) – Akono (71. Beleme). – Coach: Martens

Goal: 1:0 El Mala (66′)

Referee: Patrick Alt (Illingen)

Spectators: 2500