Paderborn Secure Bundesliga Promotion As Curda Seals 2-1 Win Over Wolfsburg After Maehle Red Card

Paderborn returned to the Bundesliga after a 2-1 extra-time win over Wolfsburg in the decisive play-off second leg. The result at Home Deluxe Arena sent Wolfsburg down, ending a 29-year stay in the top division. Laurin Curda struck in the 100th minute, completing a comeback after Wolfsburg’s early opener.

The relegation play-off outcome was rare for German football. A second-tier side won promotion through this tie for only the second time in the last 14 editions. Paderborn also halted a sequence of six straight victories for Bundesliga clubs in this fixture, doing so with a huge shot volume across 120 minutes.

The tie had been finely balanced after a goalless first leg on Thursday. That match still carried drama, as Paderborn finished with ten players when Jonah Sticker received a red card. Wolfsburg travelled to Home Deluxe Arena knowing a draw was not enough, with promotion and relegation on the line for both clubs.

Wolfsburg could hardly have scripted a brighter start to the second leg. Inside three minutes, Adam Daghim broke free down the left and picked out Dzenan Pejcinovic. The forward met the low cutback first time and guided the ball beyond Dennis Seimen, briefly calm­ing nerves among the visiting support.

The momentum shifted sharply soon after that early breakthrough. Joakim Maehle collected the first yellow card of the match, then committed another rash challenge three minutes later. In the 14th minute, Maehle lunged high on Mattes Hansen, and referee Felix Zwayer responded with a second yellow and a red.

With Wolfsburg reduced to ten players, Paderborn increased pressure but needed time to level. The equaliser finally came in the 38th minute from a long-throw routine. Curda launched the ball into the area, Calvin Brackelmann flicked it on, and Filip Bilbija dived at the far post to steer in from close range.

After half-time, Paderborn kept Wolfsburg pinned back for long spells. Stefano Marino went close on two occasions, while Sebastian Klaas saw a deflected attempt crash against the woodwork. Paderborn attempted 19 shots in the second half alone, limiting Wolfsburg to just one effort, yet could not avoid an extra thirty minutes.

Extra time followed the same pattern, with Paderborn pushing for a decisive strike. The crucial goal arrived ten minutes into the first additional period. Sven Michel delivered a deep cross to the far post, where Curda arrived unmarked and guided the ball across Kamil Grabara and inside the far corner for 2-1.

Wolfsburg still created late chances to rescue the tie, both falling to Kento Shiogai. On each occasion, Shiogai met crosses with firm headers. Seimen, however, reacted sharply twice to preserve Paderborn’s lead. Those saves ensured Wolfsburg’s relegation and confirmed Paderborn’s promotion back to the Bundesliga after six seasons away.

Bundesliga relegation play-off data: Wolfsburg vs Paderborn

Over the full 120 minutes, Paderborn’s attacking volume highlighted the one-sided nature of the contest. The hosts produced 39 attempts on goal, while Wolfsburg managed eight. Expected goals figures also reflected that dominance, with Paderborn generating 3.86 xG compared to Wolfsburg’s 0.44 across both regulation time and extra time.

Wolfsburg’s drop carries major historical significance for the club. The last season Wolfsburg played outside the Bundesliga was 1996-97, when promotion from the second tier was secured. Since then, the team had never been relegated from the top flight, despite fielding notable players such as Christian Eriksen, Vinicius Souza and Jesper Lindstrom.