Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch and Roland Sallai came off the bench to secure a 2-0 home win over 10-man Cologne in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Dogged but outclassed, Cologne fought hard but were reduced to 10 men with just over half an hour remaining when Jeff Chabot swept Lucas Hoeler's legs out from under him, picking up a second yellow.
Hoeler was replaced by Gregoritsch and the 1.93-metre tall Austrian had Freiburg ahead shortly after.
Gregoritsch was first to a loose ball in the Cologne box, slamming home to set his side on course for their seventh win of the season.
Gregoritsch has now scored in his past league three games, having broken a goal drought that dated back to April.
Sallai, who was also brought on with Gregoritsch, scored in the fifth minute of added time to seal the result.
Freiburg, who secured passage to the Europa League knockout round playoffs despite a midweek loss to West Ham, moved up to sixth in the table, leapfrogging Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim.
Frankfurt visit league leaders Bayer Leverkusen later on Sunday.
There will be plenty at stake for Xabi Alonso's unbeaten side, who can go seven points clear of Bayern Munich, who are in action against fourth-placed Stuttgart in Sunday's final game.