Union Berlin edges out 1. FC Köln with 2-1 victory, Becker and Knoche score to boost their standings.

Union Berlin secured their first win of the season in the Bundesliga against fellow strugglers 1. FC Köln on Sunday evening. The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams battling hard for control throughout.

In the first half, Union Berlin took the lead through a goal from substitute Thomas Becker. He scored after just three minutes on the pitch, making it 1-0 to the home side. The second goal came later in the game, courtesy of another substitute, Christian Knoche. Knoche's header gave Union Berlin a two-goal advantage at halftime, leaving them well-placed for victory.

Despite their dominance, 1. FC Köln refused to give up easily. They managed to pull one back in the second half, with a well-taken strike by forward Lukas Hradecky. However, it was too little, too late as Union Berlin held on to their lead until the final whistle.

The result is a significant boost for Union Berlin, who now sit in eighth place in the league table. It also gives them some much-needed confidence going into their next fixture, which will be against bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund. With a strong team and a coach like Alexander Poppe, they could certainly cause a few surprises this season.

Overall, it was a solid performance from Union Berlin against a tough opponent. Their ability to hold onto a two-goal lead despite being behind for most of the match was impressive, and their substitute play in particular was commendable. As the saying goes, "success breeds success," and Union Berlin will hope that their recent good form continues into the rest of the season.