Kenyan attacker Linton Maina earned the Man of the Match award after FC Köln edged out Wolfsburg 1-0 in a tense Bundesliga encounter on Saturday, January 31st, 2026.
Maina scored the decisive goal at the RheinEnergieStadion for the three times German Bundesliga champions and four times DFB Pokal winners FC Köln for maximum points.
Maina received a pass from Tom Krauß on loan from Mainz 05 on the right flank, the 25-year-old winger drove inside with confidence before unleashing a left-footed strike from outside the box.
With both sides hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, the result provided much-needed breathing space for Köln and underlined Maina’s growing influence at a critical stage of the season.
in the 29th minute, and once again, Maina was at the heart of it. Receiving a pass from Tom Krauß on the right flank, the 25-year-old winger drove inside with confidence before unleashing a left-footed strike from outside the box.
The effort took a slight deflection, wrong-footing Grabara, and rolled into the bottom corner to send the home fans into celebration. It was a moment of composure and quality that separated the two sides.
The goal marked Maina’s second in four league matches, alongside one assist, highlighting a timely return to form. For Köln, the victory could prove pivotal in their battle for Bundesliga survival, while for Maina, it was another reminder of his ability to rise when his team needs him most.
Maina was substituted in the 75th minute to warm applause, having already done the damage. Beyond his goal, he registered three shots, repeatedly carried the ball forward under pressure, and provided Köln with a vital attacking outlet.