St. Pauli edge Kiel in relegation battle with dramatic injury-time winner

FC St. Pauli secured a vital win against Holstein Kiel thanks to a late goal.

FC St. Pauli secured three vital points in the fight to avoid the drop, defeating fellow strugglers Holstein Kiel 2-1 away from home.

Heading into the game in last place, the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute when Alexander Bernhardsson unleashed an impressive first-time shot from the edge of the area that found the back of the net.

In the 33rd minute, St. Pauli equalised through Daniel Sinani, who put the ball into the empty net after Thomas Dähne dropped it. Despite appeals from the Kiel players for a free-kick, the goal stood.

Holstein Kiel came close to regaining the lead as the first half neared its end, but Nicolai Remberg’s header struck the crossbar. The rebound fell to Magnus Knudsen, whose header was cleared off the line by a St. Pauli defender.

With the match looking destined for a draw, St. Pauli grabbed a dramatic late winner in injury time, as Max Geschwill inadvertently turned Noah Weisshaupt’s shot into his own net.

The victory lifts 15th-placed St. Pauli to 29 points, now seven clear of the relegation zone, while Holstein Kiel remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just 18 points.