SC Freiburg Women 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen Women ended in an away victory in the German Frauen Bundesliga, with Leverkusen's efficiency in front of goal proving the difference in a match that Freiburg controlled for long stretches.

A bright Freiburg start

SC Freiburg Women began with real purpose, pressing high and forcing Leverkusen into early errors. Their reward came midway through the first half when Lisa Kolb found space on the edge of the area and finished low into the corner to give the hosts a deserved lead. The Freiburg midfield was winning the battle, and for a period the visitors struggled to get out of their own half.

Leverkusen, though, stayed calm. Their response was measured rather than frantic, and the equaliser arrived just before the interval — a sharp turn and finish inside the box after Freiburg failed to clear a cross properly.

Leverkusen's second-half control

The second half was a different story. Bayer Leverkusen Women adjusted their shape, pushing their full-backs higher and squeezing the space Freiburg had enjoyed earlier. The winning goal came from exactly that pressure, with Loreen Bender arriving late in the box to convert a low cross.

From there, Leverkusen managed the game with experience. They slowed the tempo, kept the ball in wide areas and limited Freiburg to shots from distance. The hosts pushed hard for a leveller in the final fifteen minutes, but a combination of disciplined defending and composed goalkeeping saw the visitors over the line.

Key moments

• Freiburg opener: patient build-up and a clinical finish from Kolb gave the home side the lead.
• Leverkusen equaliser: a scramble in the box ended with a cool finish just before half-time.
• Winner: Bender's late run into the area proved decisive.
• Late saves: Leverkusen's goalkeeper produced two important stops in the closing minutes.

Tactical story

Freiburg's 4-3-3 caused problems early on, with their wide forwards isolating Leverkusen's full-backs. But Leverkusen's half-time adjustments — a higher defensive line and more aggressive counter-pressing — flipped the momentum. Once they began winning the ball higher up the pitch, Freiburg's midfield was stretched and the game became a series of transitions, which suited the visitors.

What it means for the table

Three points on the road are always valuable in the Frauen Bundesliga, and this win keeps Bayer Leverkusen Women in the chasing pack near the top of the standings. For SC Freiburg Women, the defeat is a frustrating one given how much of the match they controlled, but the performance offered plenty of positives. Both clubs now turn their attention to the coming fixtures, with Freiburg eager to convert promising displays into results and Leverkusen keen to build momentum at home.