SV Elversberg did not show enough for a promotion candidate in the 2nd Bundesliga against 1. FC Magdeburg for a long time, but remains on the heels of league leaders Schalke 04 after the dry 1-0 win on Friday.
With his late winning goal in the 85th minute, Łukasz Poreba ensured Elversberg’s happy success, with them now climbing to second place in the table with 48 points, at least for the time being. The Magdeburgers lost their fourth game in a row, remain at 23 points and could even slip to last place after the 25th matchday.
“You win games like this when you’re on top“said Magdeburg coach Petrik Sander after the final whistle in the Sportschau interview. “And if you’re stuck down there, you won’t even be able to take at least one point. That was at least in here.”
Sluggish initial phase
As expected, Elversberg took the initiative, but struggled against the guests’ compact defense. The first dangerous scene in the penalty area required a standard situation: Lukas Petkov took a free kick from the right corner of the penalty area directly onto the goal, but Dominik Reimann in the Magdeburg goal was on the post (16th).
Five minutes later, Magdeburg’s central defender Jean Hugonet let a cross slip through, but David Mokwa couldn’t bring the ball onto the goal at the second post.
Magdeburg with the more dangerous chances
Magdeburg then tried to create pinpricks – and had the better chances: Mateusz Zukowski was completely free and alone in front of Nicolas Kristof, but didn’t hit the ball properly (22′). Ten minutes before the break, Elversberg’s keeper prevented the deficit, Rayan Ghrieb brought the ball perfectly to the back post and onto the head of Dariusz Stalmach, Kristof made a strong save.
Elversberg came out of the locker room with more momentum, but was unfortunate in the finish: Frederik Schmahl got the ball in a promising position in the penalty area, but missed completely (46th). Magdeburg continued to have the more dangerous actions: Philipp Hercher’s shot from the turn from the edge of the penalty area flew just past the left post (49th).
Elversberg with a stronger final spurt
At the back, the Magdeburg team got deeper and deeper as the game went on and hardly allowed anything to happen. It was only after almost 70 minutes that the Elversbeg team finally managed to get behind the guests’ defensive line. Lasse Günther passed it back to Schmahl – this time the shot came into the box, but right at keeper Reimann.
For Elversberg it was the signal for the final offensive: Again a cross from Günther from the left side caused danger, Petkov’s shot was blocked by Marcus Mathisen with his long leg (74th). Ten minutes before the end Petkov had the opportunity again, his shot from a very tight angle actually hit the aluminum.
Poreba uses the only one inattention in Magdeburg’s defense
But the people of Magdeburg also have it Lucky Punch on the counterattack, Richmond Tachie was first denied by keeper Kristof and then fired the follow-up shot over the box.
In return, Magdeburg failed to defend a throw-in at the other end: Tom Zimmerschied claimed the ball on the edge of the penalty area and passed it back to Poreba, who hit the far corner with a well-placed shot.
Elversberg in Fürth, Magdeburg against Darmstadt
Elversberg and Magdeburg will compete again on matchday 26 on Friday evening (March 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m.). The Elversbergers are guests at Greuther Fürth (6.30 p.m.). Magdeburg hosts SV Darmstadt 98 at the same time.
