Yacobi scores winner as FC Cologne defeats Real Sociedad 2-1 in preseason friendly

Nilas Yacobi came off the bench in the 60th minute of a preseason friendly against Real Sociedad on August 8, 2026. Eighteen minutes later, the 19-year-old had the RheinEnergieStadion on its feet, slotting home the goal that gave 1. FC Köln a 2-1 victory over the Spanish side.

It was the kind of moment that turns a quiet summer friendly into a talking point for weeks. A teenager, valued at a modest €50,000, outshining players from a La Liga club in front of his home crowd.

How the match unfolded

Cologne came out swinging. Linton Maina opened the scoring in just the 5th minute, giving the German side an early cushion that set the tone for an energetic first half.

That lead, however, didn’t last long. Real Sociedad found their equalizer through an own goal by Cologne defender Daniel Lochoshvili.

Then Yacobi entered the picture. Brought on as a substitute with 30 minutes remaining, he didn’t need long to make his mark. His 78th-minute strike restored Cologne’s lead and ultimately proved to be the winner.

Who is Nilas Yacobi?

Born on December 24, 2006, Yacobi is still in the early chapters of his professional career. He joined Köln’s reserve side on a free transfer from VfL Wolfsburg’s U19 setup during the summer of 2025. His current estimated market value of €50,000 reflects that reality.

What this means for Cologne’s season ahead

The match also provided useful data points beyond the headline goalscorer. Maina’s early goal suggests he’s sharp heading into the new season, while the Lochoshvili own goal highlights defensive vulnerabilities that coaching staff will want to address before competitive matches begin.

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