FC Schalke 04 won the second division top game at SC Paderborn and took a big step towards promotion to the Bundesliga.
In front of around 15,000 fans in the sold-out Paderborn Arena, the “Royal Blues” won 3-2 (2-2) on Sunday afternoon after being 2-0 down. Laurin Curda (13th minute) and Stefano Marino (26th) scored for Paderborn, the Schalke goals were scored by Dejan Ljubičić (35th, 83rd) and Adil Aouchiche (40th).
With three matchdays still to go, FC is standing Schalke 04 continue to be at the top of the 2nd table. football-Bundesliga, seven points ahead of third place. Schalke could now secure promotion on the next matchday. SC Paderborn is in second place in the table, one point ahead of third-place Hannover 96.
Schalke started the matchday 31 with commitment and had the first goal in the fifth minute: Kenan Karaman passed through the Paderborn defense to Moussa Sylla – the S04 striker shot from the left in the penalty area, but SCP keeper Dennis Seimen parried.
Curda scores with a volley to give the SCP the lead
The hosts often let Schalke have the ball and relied on their counter-attacking football. After around twelve minutes, the East Westphalians quickly moved forward from their own half with a long ball: Mika Baur then crossed from the left, and Laurin Curda volleyed the ball on the half-right – his shot landed flat in the Schalke goal (13th).
In a fast-paced duel, Paderborn remained dangerous: After an assist from Tjark Scheller, SCP striker Marino shot in the Schalke penalty area, Schalke goalkeeper Karius cleared for a corner (24th).
Marino increases for Paderborn
But shortly afterwards Paderborn had better luck: S04 keeper Karius initially fended off a shot from Filip Bilbija, but the rebound landed at Marino – and the Paderborn player made it 2-0 (26th).
Schalke shortened through Ljubičić
After conceding the second goal, the “Royal Blues” initially seemed shocked. But in the 35th minute they suddenly scored: Moussa Ndiaye crossed from the left – and Dejan Ljubičić maneuvered the ball with the tip of his outstretched right foot from around seven meters into the Paderborn goal.
Schalke’s Timo Becker (l.) in a duel with Paderborn’s Jonah Sticker (r.)
Aouchiche equalizes
And Schalke quickly followed up: Sylla shot in the penalty area; SCP goalkeeper Seimen made a save, but the ball remained in the danger zone – and Adil Aouchiche uncompromisingly chased it high into the net from around four meters (40th).
Less pace in the second half
An exciting game developed in the second half, but with significantly less speed and fewer shots on goal. The two teams shied away from taking big risks and neutralized each other for a long time.
But in the final phase, Schalke increased its offensive efforts: In the 81st minute, Ljubičić shot in the Paderborn penalty area, but was blocked. Sylla’s follow-up shot flew over the goal.
Ljubičić scores Schalke’s third goal
Shortly afterwards, the approximately 2,000 Schalke fans who had traveled along were able to cheer: After Soufiane El-Faouzi’s cross, the ball found its way to Ljubičić in the penalty area via Sylla – and the Austrian hit the inside of his right foot into the left corner from a good seven meters (83′). SCP defender Felix Götze cut an unfortunate figure because his clearance attempt failed.
Paderborn increased the pressure again after conceding their third goal, but had no success – and so the guests from the Ruhr area were able to celebrate a 3-2 away win after the final whistle.
“We were as solid as we have been in the last ten months,” said Schalke coach Miron Muslic, pleased that his team was able to turn the game around. When asked about the promotion, which is now within reach, Muslic said: “Nobody will take that away from us. We’ll do it.”
While Schalke remained unbeaten for the eleventh second division game in a row, the hosts suffered their first competitive defeat since February 1st.
“The bottom line is that I saw a good performance,” said SCP coach Ralf Kettemann about his team’s performance. “There are still three games left. We definitely have the chance to beat any team.”
Schalke now against Düsseldorf
Schalke 04 hosts Fortuna Düsseldorf on the next matchday, kick-off is on Saturday (May 2nd, 2026) at 8:30 p.m. – with a home win, S04 would then secure promotion. SC Paderborn will play at SV Elversberg the next day from 1:30 p.m.
Our sources:
- Second division game SC Paderborn against Schalke 04 on April 26th, 2026 (live broadcast on Sky)
Broadcast: WDR.de“Schalke takes a huge step against Paderborn”, April 26, 20263:48 p.m
