Burcu strikes late to earn Union Berlin vital first win of the season

A late goal from second-half substitute Livan Burcu secured three crucial points for 1. FC Union Berlin against SV Elversberg.

Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

1. FC Union Berlin secured their first league win of the 2026/27 season on Saturday, beating SV Elversberg 1-0 in the Bundesliga at Stadion an der alten Försterei.

Coming into the game with just one point from their first four matches, the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Andreas Schäfer’s well-struck free kick was saved by Nicolas Kristof in the 25th minute.

At the other end, Noel Futkeu fired over an open goal just before half-time, but replays showed that the Elversberg striker had been offside.

Union continued to look the more likely side to score after the break and were eventually rewarded for their efforts.

After Elversberg initially cleared a corner in the 80th minute, the ball fell to second-half substitute Livan Burcu, who volleyed home to put the hosts ahead.

Burcu’s strike proved decisive, securing three much-needed points for Union. The capital side now sit 16th, while Elversberg are eighth ahead of the remaining matches of the weekend.