Greuther Fürth bin Fortuna Düsseldorf to 3. Liga as they clinch playoff spot | OneFootball

Felix Klaus had no direct goal involvement in 2026 heading to the last matchday of the season, but the former Düsseldorf winger did turn up against his former club in the crucial fixture for both sides.

The 33-year-old scored the first goal of matchday 34 inside two minutes after a well-worked move by Fürth. Fifteen minutes later, Klaus was involved in another goal when his shot deflected on its way to the net by Elias Egoli, who extended his contract during the week.

Knowing a three-goal win would be needed to get past their guests, Fürth started the game with total authority. Branimir Hrgota, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season, soon hit the post with a brilliant effort, although it would not have been counted had it gone in because of an offside.

Klaus was unstoppable in Düsseldorf’s first-half thrashing as he was also involved in the all-important third goal. His superb delivery from the right wing was converted by Noel Futkeu as Heiko Vogel’s side had done the unthinkable.

The league’s top-scorer scored each of Fürth’s last seven goals before the final game of the season. He poked home what promised to be his most important strike with his 19th of the campaign before re-joining Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer.

The only good news for Düsseldorf was Hertha taking the lead away at Bielefeld. That result would also keep Fürth completely safe as Alexander Ende’s side were heading to the playoff against Rot-Weiss Essen.

Düsseldorf showed much improvement after the restart as their third coach of the season made triple substitutions. However, they were now dropped to the automatic relegation spot as Bielefeld turned their game against the side from the capital with a brace from Joel Grodowski.

They nearly conceded a fourth immediately, but Hrgota was denied a penalty-kick for an offside call. Ende’s men knew they would have to do it all by themselves, though, as Bielefeld scored once again to climb to 13th place.

Instead, Fürth and Klaus roared back to end the tie as the star performer hit the sidenetting before VAR came to Düsseldorf’s rescue once again. Klaus started the move for what was briefly counted as Futkeu’s 20th goal of the season.

With Bielefeld taking a 4-1 lead, Düsseldorf were now minutes away from relegation to 3. Liga. Despite an open goal miss by Hrgota in the final minutes of injury-time, Fürth held on to secure the playoff spot as they will now face RW Essen. Hrgota and Futkeu now have two more games to save the club before their summer departures.

The absence of Cedric Itten in attack could contribute to their abysmal attacking performance, but it was a day to forget for one of the biggest clubs in Germany. Düsseldorf will play in 3. Liga for the first time since 2008/09.