In the top second division game
Own goal paves the way: Nuremberg beats the champions
Updated on May 9, 2026 – 10:31 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
1. FC Nürnberg gives champions Schalke 04 no chance. An own goal puts Nuremberg on the road to victory, then it becomes clear.
In the last top game of the current second division season, 1. FC Nürnberg beat champions Schalke 04 3-0 (2-0). From a sporting perspective, the game no longer had any real significance before kick-off. Schalke had already been confirmed as the first promoted team in the Bundesliga. Nuremberg jumps to eighth place with the win. However, the “club” had already secured relegation and no longer had a chance of promotion.
Schalke 04 were obviously still struggling with the promotion party followed by a short trip to Ibiza. In any case, coach Miron Muslic’s team suffered their first league defeat since January 31st. Last week, the Knappen completed their return to the Bundesliga after a three-year absence with a 1-0 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Afterwards, the team around striker Edin Dzeko and captain Kenan Karaman flew to Ibiza to celebrate for a few days. Coach Muslic said before the game that it was about switching back to “competitive mode”: “We are going to Nuremberg to win the game.” But there was little to be seen in the atmospheric Max Morlock Stadium.
An own goal from Ron Schallenberg (20th) and goals from Henri Koudossou (46th) and Mohamed Ali Zoma (72nd) ensured Nuremberg’s success, which could have been even higher.
The Royal Blues had to do without goalkeeper Loris Karius, who is in Italy due to the birth of his second child. Nuremberg was the better team from the start, in addition to the regular goals, two supposed goals from Zoma (27th, 45th) in the first half were disallowed due to offside positions. Shortly after the break, Koudossou also hit the post (47th). Nuremberg also missed other top opportunities.
An own goal from Schalke’s Ron Schallenberg (20th minute) gave Nuremberg a 1-0 lead midway through the first half. Just a little later, Henri Koudossou increased the score to 2-0 (45th+1). After the break, Mohamed Ali Zoma (72′) made everything clear.
