2. Bundesliga: Kaiserslautern hold firm to edge past Fürth

Kaiserslautern claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Greuther Fürth at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion, with Semih Şahin’s early strike proving decisive.

Şahin’s looping header inside the opening ten minutes ultimately separated the sides, while a crucial VAR intervention after the break denied Fürth what looked to be a deserved equaliser and ensured Torsten Lieberknecht’s men walked away with all three points.

It was the visitors who fashioned the first clear opportunity. A loose pass from Jacob Rasmussen sent Noel Futkeu racing through on goal, but the usually reliable forward lost his composure and dragged his effort wide of Julian Krahl’s post.

Fürth were made to pay almost immediately. From Marlon Ritter’s corner, Silas Prüfrock’s punch only travelled as far as Şahin, whose header from near the edge of the box looped back into the danger area and over everyone, including the stranded goalkeeper, to hand Lautern the lead.

The game remained open and entertaining throughout the first half, with chances at a premium at both ends. Norman Bassette squandered the best of them in the 37th minute, firing straight at Prüfrock when clean through, allowing Fürth to reach the interval just a goal behind.

Five minutes after the restart, Fürth thought they had levelled in spectacular fashion. Paul Will rifled home following a frantic scramble in the box, but VAR intervened, adjudging that Branimir Hrgota had fouled Krahl in the build-up. The equaliser was chalked off, much to the frustration of the travelling side.

Heiko Vogel’s team refused to let the setback derail them. Hrgota came within inches of restoring parity just past the hour, smashing a fierce effort against the upright as Fürth piled on the pressure.

However, as the clock ticked down, the visitors’ momentum began to fade. Kaiserslautern gradually regained control, managing the closing stages with greater assurance to secure a valuable win.

The result halts a two-match losing run for Lautern and keeps them seventh, within touching distance of the promotion hopefuls. For Fürth, another defeat leaves them rooted to the foot of the table and in increasing danger of being cut adrift in the survival battle.