# FC Augsburg Draws 1-1 With Union Berlin, Vargas Scores Before Substitute Equalizes

FC Augsburg and Union Berlin delivered a thrilling encounter in the German Bundesliga on Saturday, as the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The match saw key contributions from both teams, with Augsburg’s Vargas scoring before being substituted, and Berlin securing a point thanks to a late equalizer.

The game started at a steady pace, with both sides probing for weaknesses. Augsburg had the first real chance in the 15th minute when Vargas, who had recently returned from injury, fired a powerful shot from outside the box. The 25-year-old Chilean midfielder’s strike hit the crossbar and bounced back into play, but the resulting clearance was cleared by Berlin’s defense.

Despite the early opportunity, Augsburg struggled to break down a compact Berlin defense. The visitors, meanwhile, began to dominate possession as the half-hour mark approached. Their persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Vargas, after a clever interchange of passes with teammates, let fly from 25 yards out. This time, his effort flew into the top-left corner, giving Augsburg a 1-0 lead.

Vargas’s goal was a moment of brilliance, but it was short-lived. Just 10 minutes later, the midfielder was substituted due to a minor injury. His absence left Augsburg with a significant hole to fill in the middle of the pitch. Berlin capitalized on the numerical advantage, pushing for an equalizer.

The second half saw both teams create chances, with Augsburg’s defense standing firm under pressure. In the 74th minute, Berlin’s Anthony Modeste, who had replaced Vargas, delivered a cross into the box that was met by a rising header from Dejan Ljubičić. The Serbian striker’s effort rattled the crossbar, but the follow-up was cleared by Augsburg’s defense.

As the clock ticked down, Berlin’s persistence finally paid off. In the 88th minute, a perfectly timed through ball found Kevin Volland, who slotted home to give Berlin a 1-1 tie. Despite a late surge by Augsburg, Berlin held firm to secure a point.

The draw was a frustrating result for Augsburg, who had dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances. Vargas’s early goal was a bright spot, but his substitution left the team in a tricky spot. For Berlin, the result was a much-needed boost as they continue their quest for a European spot.

Both teams now look ahead to their next fixtures, with Augsburg aiming to bounce back against Wolfsburg and Berlin searching for consistency in their bid to challenge for a top-four finish.

**Summary:** A thrilling 1-1 draw between FC Augsburg and Union Berlin, with Vargas scoring for Augsburg before being substituted, highlighted the competitive nature of the Bundesliga match. Both sides displayed resilience and skill, but neither could find a winner, leaving the contest shared between the two teams.

**Quote:**

“Augsburg showed a lot of fighting spirit, but we couldn’t find a way to win. We’ll learn from this and move on,” said Augsburg head coach Heiko Kossmann.