Promotion race: RWE consolidates second place with a derby victory over Duisburg

As of: April 4, 2026 • 7:33 p.m

Rot-Weiss Essen won the derby against MSV Duisburg in the 3rd league and underlined their promotion ambitions. MSV finished the game with ten men.

Red and white food won on Saturday at home in the sold-out stadium on Hafenstrasse against arch-rivals MSV Duisburg 1-0 (1-0). As a result, the Essen team consolidated second place in the table and moved away from MSV. Instead of jumping into a promotion spot yourself, it lies MSV Duisburg After the defeat in Essen, they are now three points behind third place.

Before the game, the RWE fans were the talk of the town with a martial and bloody choreography that stretched across the west curve.

The action on the pitch was largely sporty and fair. RWE coach Uwe Koschinat’s team played straight forward: Lucas Brumme fired a long-range shot from a central position in the third minute – MSV keeper Maximilian Braune kept the ball safe.

Just a minute later, Essen’s Kaito Mizuta delivered a free-kick cross high into the penalty area: Ben Hüning prevailed in the middle in a duel with Duisburg’s Aljaz Casar – his header hit the right post.

The guests were then able to contain the Essen attacks. However, the “Zebras” failed to set their own offensive tone and remained harmless in the first half.

Essen seemed more snappy and won more duels. RWE striker Marek Janssen got the ball in front of the penalty area in the 31st minute and finished – MSV keeper Braune was able to parry the 17-meter shot.

Mizuta scores with direct purchase for RWE

Shortly before the break, RWE managed to take the lead: Brumme had the ball at his feet on the right side in the penalty area, he served Mizuta in the center with a precise pass – and the Japanese curled the ball with a direct shot from 15 meters into the bottom right of the MSV goal (43rd minute).

After the half-time break, the same picture emerged: Essen was looking for a way forward. Brumme curled a free kick from the half-left edge of the penalty area onto the post – MSV goalkeeper Braune would have had no chance.

Shortly afterwards, Duisburg’s Lex-Tyger Lobinger set an example: From the center circle, the MSV striker powered his way through the Essen defense and finished from around 20 meters – but the low shot rolled past the RWE goal (52nd).

In this phase, however, the Essen team were closer to their second goal than MSV was to equalizing: RWE veteran Klaus Gjasula found Torben Müsel in the MSV penalty area with a well-considered pass – Müsel’s shot hit the post (68th).

On the other hand, Lobinger tested RWE keeper Jakob Golz from a tight angle (72′).

Red card against Duisburg Casar

A little later things got heated: Duisburg’s Casar was shown a red card by referee Sören Storks (74′) after an act of violence that caused a pack to form. The MSV player left the pitch without protest.

Despite being outnumbered, MSV rose again in the final phase. The Essenes suddenly seemed nervous. The guests were dangerous several times in front of the Essen goal: Duisburg’s Krüger came free in the penalty area in the 87th minute to finish, but had no luck – just like substitute Dominik Kother a minute later.

RWE trembled, but finally managed to keep the lead over time and celebrated the victory with their fans after the final whistle. MSV coach Dietmar Hirsch, on the other hand, criticized his team’s long “despondent” performance, as he said on MagentaSport.

English week – MSV on Tuesday against Osnabrück

The 3rd league is gradually entering the home stretch with the last “English week” of the season: The next games are scheduled for Tuesday (April 7th, 2026): While the Duisburg team welcomes the leaders VfL Osnabrück at home for the top game, the Essen team faces a supposedly easier task at the bottom of the table, 1. FC Schweinfurt. Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m.

Our sources:

Broadcast: WDR.de“Rot-Weiss Essen narrowly wins against Duisburg”, 04/04/20266:57 p.m
Broadcast: Sports Show“Three aluminum hits don’t stop RWE against Duisburg”, 04/04/20266:39 p.m