Dramatic Nürnberg win in Düsseldorf, Paderborn climb to top

Late goals affected the scores in both Friday night games of 2. Bundesliga on Matchday 8.

Paderborn put pressure on Darmstadt with a hard-fought win in Braunschweig, while Miroslav Klose won the battle between underfire coaches.

Fortuna Düsseldorf 2-3 1. FC Nürnberg

Fortuna Düsseldorf started the game looking for their first home goal of the season, but it was Nürnberg’s Rafael Lubach who scored the only goal of the first-half. Mohamed Alì Zoma played a big part in the goal that put the visitors ahead from a counter-attack move.

Half-time substitute Danny Schmidt came the closest to ending the home side’s goalless streak before setting up the equalizer for the new signing Anouar El Azzouzi. However, Nürnberg retook the lead ten minutes before time when Matthias Zimmermann blocked a cross with his hand.

Florian Kastenmeier saved a Julian Justvan free-kick minutes earlier, but Nürnberg’s midfielder made no mistake from 12 yards. Yet, Fortuna suddenly fired up after their first home goal of the season, and they responded once again with a brilliant finish from Christian Rasmussen.

However, they still suffered another home defeat following a superb finish by Finn Becker in the 85th minute. Miroslav Klose will be delighted with the back-to-back wins on the road, while there is no certainty whether Daniel Thioune will be Fortuna’s coach beyond the upcoming international break.

Eintracht Braunschweig 1-2 SC Paderborn

Meanwhile, Padeborn momentarily climbed to the top of the table after a 2-1 win in Braunschweig. The in-form attacking midfielder Filip Bilbija only needed 30 seconds to put Paderborn in front with a header from a pinpoint cross by Sebastian Klaas.

USMNT prospect Santiago Castañeda thought he scored his first goal for Paderborn after the restart, but the goal was chalked off following a VAR check. Instead, this game also had a dramatic last ten minutes.

Substitute Levente Szabó put Braunschweig level with a brilliant header in the 87th minute. It was the first goal Paderborn’s goalie Dennis Seimen conceded in nearly 500 minutes, and it’d have been two right away had Szabó connected with a low cross from the right.

The visitors immediately got the ball at the other end, and Stefano Marino scored with an emphatic finish. The substitute’s goal helped Paderborn to sit at the top of the standings before the rest of the matchday 8 action on Saturday and Sunday.