A historical first round, hits without end, dream goals: Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart separated with a draw on Saturday evening (April 19, 2025) in a memorable Bundesliga game. The Köpenickers were allowed to cheer the safe relegation by the point win.
At 4: 4 (4: 4), Andrej Ilic (5th minute of play), Diogo Leit (19th), Leopold Querfeld (38.), Andrej Ilic (45.+6) for Union Berlin. Deniz Undav (23rd), Enzo Millot (29th), Jeff Chabot (43rd) and Chris Lührich (45.+1) scored the guest goals. Eight goals in the first half – that had never been done in the Bundesliga before.
With now 35 points, the hosting Köpenickers can no longer be obtained from Heidenheim on the relegation place and can accordingly look forward to the definitive league remaining. After a mixed season, five games without defeat recently helped the team of coach Steffen Baumgart to stay in the earlyence.
“The first half was already wild,” said Baumgart after the game at the sports show microphone – and looked back on the strong last few weeks: “We went a way. The path was stonemony, but now we have reached the relegation. Now it is about going on the next four games successfully.”
Stuttgart, on the other hand, missed steps towards the European Cup places and remains in 11th place with 41 points. “We were more in there. We will concede three standard gates, that must not happen,” said Torscherütze Undav to the game: “Otherwise: 4: 4, the main thing was not lost every two minutes, it was a sick first half.”
Lightning start for Union Berlin
The fact that Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart should play the Bundesliga top game on Saturday evening should have been surprised by one or the other football fan before the game-after all, they are teams from the (extended) table midfield. But what happened on the lawn in Köpenick became more than fair to the “Top Game” rating – right from the start.
After the Stuttgarters had gone into the game with momentum, Ilic opened the goal series after a cornerstop by Christopher Trimmel after five minutes. Shortly afterwards, Ermedin Demirovic gave a big chance when he put the ball too far past Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow. And when the lead was allowed to nod the ball to the 2-0 – again after Trimmel -Kimmer -corner, a lot looked like after a nice afternoon for the Berliners.
Dream gate of Millot and across the field
But Stuttgart struck back immediately. Maximilian Mittelstädts passed Undav in position, which shot hard and placed in the goal. The Stuttgart, in this phase with significantly more possession, followed up – and how: Millot took the ball into the movement and took a heart from 24 meters. The Schlenzer sailed, still touched by Rönnow, to compensate in the mesh. Four shots on goal had been fired to date, all four found their way into the goal.
Enzo Millot (center) is celebrated for his dream goal
But that’s not all: Union Berlin also recorded a dream goal. In the crazy game, crossfield took a measure of 34 meters, moved away at 118 km/h – and hit the right corner with his slightly rotating ball. However, VfB’s answer was not long in coming. Chabot prevailed after a free kick by Angelo Stiller and headed to compensate.
Bundesliga-Torrecord In the first half
With six goals already scored, the lavish injury time was in prospect, a first deep breath was in prospect for teams and spectators. But nothing came of “breathe in” at first. VfB took the lead for the first time: Führich danced in the penalty area through the Union defense and finished from 15 meters into the short corner. The goal record made the goal record again, but Ilic, who was allowed to nod Trimmel’s free kick flank from a few meters to 4: 4.
Eight goals in the first half – that had never been done in Bundesliga history. In the second round, Borussia Dortmund once met ten times (1982 at 11-1 against Bielefeld), this value is still unsurpassed to this day.
Hardly any chances of scoring in the second round
Wild first half means wild second half? Nevertheless. The game was different in the second round. Stuttgart was still on the ball more often, but it hardly got through against the sudden saddle -resistant Unioner defensive. The attack efforts by the Köpenickers were largely limited to long -beaten balls, which the Stuttgart back team confidently defended. The game was now shaped by the tension.
In the final phase, the Stuttgarters increased the pressure, and union laced up in their own half. VfB complained about the penalty area and invested a lot without creating the very big chances. Union became dangerous after – of course – after a trimmer standard, Laszlo Benes failed with his direct acceptance from nine meters (82nd).
Goals no longer fell, but in the end there was joy with the hosts: thanks to the one point, the Unioners were allowed to cheer the relegation – much earlier than they would have suspected a few weeks ago. The fans honored the strong end of their team of their team, celebrated their Unioners with a lot of applause at the round of honor and sang: “Never more 2nd league”.
Union in Bochum, Stuttgart against Heidenheim
Union Berlin is a guest in Bochum on the next match day, for the hosts it is an extremely important game in the relegation battle (Sunday, April 27, 3:30 p.m.). Stuttgart plays at home against 1. FC Heidenheim (8.30 p.m.) at home.