Paderborn beat Wolfsburg in promotion playoff thriller

SC Paderborn secured promotion to the Bundesliga with a dramatic 2-1 aggregate win over VfL Wolfsburg in the relegation playoff.

The second leg ended 1-1 after regular time, with Paderborn’s Robin Knoche scoring in the 66th minute. Wolfsburg equalized through Maximilian Philipp in the 85th minute, forcing extra time.

In stoppage time, Paderborn’s Sven Michel netted the decisive goal to seal the comeback. The match featured three goals, one red card, two post hits, and a clear chance advantage for Paderborn.

Wolfsburg’s relegation ends a 29-year top-flight tenure since their promotion in 1997. The club now drops to the 2. Bundesliga.

Paderborn’s victory completes their rapid rise from 2. Bundesliga to Bundesliga in two seasons. The team had finished fourth in the 2. Bundesliga before defeating Wehen Wiesbaden in the promotion playoff semifinals.

The result marks Wolfsburg’s first relegation in club history. The club had previously avoided relegation in 1999 and 2000 through playoff wins.