RB Leizpig Champions League-bound

Bundesliga debutants qualify for Europe on first time of asking

BERLIN: RB Leipzig capped off a superb first Bundesliga campaign with automatic qualification for next season's Champions League as Timo Werner scored twice in Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of Hertha Berlin.

Leipzig, founded by energy drinks giants Red Bull in 2009, only reached Germany's top flight this season after four promotions in seven years.

They lie second in the table and are certain to finish in the top three, which means a direct path into the Champions League group stage.

"I am very proud. There is no better place to celebrate before so many fans," said Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl as 10,000 RB fans travelled to Berlin.

They are the first Bundesliga club since Kaiserslautern in 1998 to qualify directly for the Champions League immediately after winning promotion.

Germany striker Werner, 21, now has 19 league goals in a superb season.

"We have deserved this over the course of the season," said Werner. "We have achieved something big and belong among the top teams in Europe."

He netted the opener on 12 minutes with a bullet header from a curling cross from midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.

A howler by Hertha goalkeeper Rune Jarstein, who slipped attempting a clearance, allowed Yussuf Poulsen to knock the ball across the empty Berlin goal for Werner's simple tap-in on 54 minutes that made it 2-0.

Hertha pulled a goal back when Leipzig's substitute midfielder Rani Khedira — younger brother of World Cup winner Sami — headed the ball into his own net on 85 minutes.

But Davie Selke, on for Poulsen, netted on 89 minutes and again in stoppage time to seal RB's victory.

Earlier, Juan Bernat netted as champions Bayern Munich laboured to a 1-0 win over bottom club Darmstadt, which confirmed their relegation.

Bayern, Bundesliga champions for the fifth year in a row, were made to work at the Allianz Arena and Darmstadt might have snatched a point, but Hamit Altintop's late penalty was saved.

Bernat beat two defenders then coolly chipped Darmstadt goalkeeper Michael Esser for the 18th-minute goal that proved to be the winner.

Bayern are 10 points ahead of RB Leipzig while Darmstadt are now an insurmountable nine points from safety with just two games left.