Ten-man Freiburg beat Schalke 2-1 with Keisuke Goto's late header to go top of the Bundesliga

SC Freiburg are top of the Bundesliga after beating Schalke 2-1 at the Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday, 11 October, despite playing the last 26 minutes with ten men. Japanese substitute Keisuke Goto headed the winner in the 85th minute, giving Julian Schuster's side a club-record 13 points from their first five matches and taking them above Borussia Dortmund on goal difference.

How the game played out

Freiburg made a quick start and took the lead from a corner around the tenth minute. Schalke levelled on the half-hour through Adrian Gantenbein, whose shot took a slight touch off team-mate Kenan Karaman on its way in. According to the Bundesliga's official site, it was Schalke's only shot on target of the match.

The hosts' task got harder in the 64th minute when Japanese forward Yuito Suzuki, one of their leading scorers this season, was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Soufiane El-Faouzi.

Schuster responded by sending on Goto and Vincenzo Grifo in the 83rd minute, and the change paid off almost immediately. Grifo delivered a cross and Goto rose to head home in the 85th minute, his first goal for the club. Freiburg then saw out five minutes of stoppage time.

Top of the table

The weekend had opened the door for Freiburg. Dortmund were held 2-2 at home by Werder Bremen, and Bayern Munich were held 2-2 by Augsburg, so a win was enough to go top.

Freiburg and Dortmund are both on 13 points, with Freiburg ahead on goal difference (+10 against +7). Bayern are third on 11 points. Freiburg remain unbeaten this season, with four wins and a draw. Schalke, by contrast, are 13th after the weekend.

Schuster praises his players

Schuster was full of praise for how his team coped with being a man down. "The lads should get huge credit," he told the Bundesliga's official site, adding that he was proud of the way they played. He also credited Schalke as a difficult side to break down and singled out the spirit in his dressing room as the club's biggest strength.

A Japanese double act

Sunday's game was a notable one for Japanese football. Suzuki has been one of Freiburg's main attacking threats this season, and Goto, coming off the bench after his team-mate's dismissal, scored the goal that sent the club top. For fans in Asia following Japanese players in Europe, Freiburg have become one of the Bundesliga's more interesting stories this autumn.

What comes next

Freiburg have little time to celebrate. They face FK Jablonec in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, 15 October, before a demanding trip to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Sunday, 18 October.

Key takeaways

• Freiburg beat Schalke 2-1 on Sunday, 11 October 2026, with Keisuke Goto heading the 85th-minute winner.
• Yuito Suzuki was sent off in the 64th minute, but ten-man Freiburg held on.
• Freiburg top the Bundesliga on a club-record 13 points, level with Dortmund but ahead on goal difference.
• Next up: Jablonec in the Conference League on 15 October, then Leverkusen away on 18 October.

FAQ

Who scored Freiburg's winner against Schalke? Japanese substitute Keisuke Goto headed in Vincenzo Grifo's cross in the 85th minute.

Are Freiburg top of the Bundesliga? Yes. After matchday five they have 13 points, level with Borussia Dortmund but ahead on goal difference.

Why was Yuito Suzuki sent off? He received a second yellow card in the 64th minute for a challenge on Schalke's Soufiane El-Faouzi.

Sources: Bundesliga.com, Bulinews, Get Football News Germany, Yahoo Sports