Paderborn climb to second place with victory in Fürth | OneFootball

Goals from Stefano Marino and Filip Bilbija proved decisive for Ralf Kettemann’s side, who capitalised on key moments to overcome a spirited Fürth team.

The opening stages were evenly contested, with both sides showing attacking intent and looking to test the opposition defence. Laurin Curda was particularly lively down the right flank for Paderborn, providing much of the visitors’ attacking impetus in the first half.

Fürth, however, fashioned the best chance before the break. A dazzling run from Sayfallah Ltaief on the left saw him beat two defenders before picking out Noel Futkeu at the back post, but the striker somehow failed to convert into an empty net, leaving the scores level at half-time.

Paderborn made Fürth pay for that miss shortly after the restart. Just six minutes into the second half, a long ball from goalkeeper Dennis Seimen sparked the move, with Marino involved in the build-up before latching onto an incisive pass from Curda and finishing confidently past Silas Prüfrock to give the visitors the lead.

Fürth responded with determination, urged on by the home support. Substitute Lukas Reich came agonisingly close to equalising after cutting inside and unleashing a powerful effort that beat Seimen, only to crash back off the post.

As Fürth pushed forward in search of a leveller, spaces began to open up at the back - and Paderborn took full advantage late on. With less than five minutes remaining, Steffen Tigges led a swift counter-attack down the left before delivering a precise cross for Bilbija, who slipped between the defenders and finished first time to seal the victory.

The win extends Paderborn’s unbeaten run to seven matches and lifts them into second place, while Fürth’s second consecutive defeat leaves them in 16th, firmly embroiled in the relegation battle.