As of: November 1st, 2025 6:36 p.m
The VfL Wolfsburg footballers remain close to leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Coach Stephan Lerch’s team achieved a late 2-1 (0-0) win on Saturday after a clear improvement in performance in the second half against TSG Hoffenheim.
Smilla Vallotto, who came on as a substitute shortly before the end, had the last word in a wild final phase in Wolfsburg with a wonderful volley in stoppage time (90+1). Valessa Ampoorter had previously equalized the lead of the “Wolves” with a flattering penalty kick (81′) for TSG through Lineth Beerensteyn (72′), who came into the game in the second half.
The encounter had two completely different halves: While Hoffenheim dominated the first half, the second clearly went to VfL. This is also because Coach Lerch showed a good hand with his substitutions. Thanks to the last-minute win, the Lower Saxony team stays ahead of FC Bayern Munich (4-1 against Essen), the gap is three points. The game continues on Tuesday with the away game against newly promoted Union Berlin (7 p.m.).
Hoffenheim dominated the first half
The initial phase, actually the first half, clearly went to the guests, who could have taken the lead after ten minutes – or even should have. But both Jill Janssens (3rd and 5th) as well as Linda Natter (5th) and Franziska Harsch (9th) missed some of the best opportunities.
Almost all of the important duels – especially in the midfield – went to the Kraichgau team at the beginning. The Lerch team couldn’t cope with TSG’s pressing and was therefore initially unable to build up the game in an orderly manner. Only gradually did they gain more control of the game and let the ball and opponents run. However, the Hoffenheim women were very well organized, so that the VfL players continued to have little or no chance of developing offensively.
An attempted shot by attacker Alexandra Popp from the halfway line next to the goal (24th) and an advance by defender Ella Peddemors, which TSG goalkeeper Laura Johanna Dick stopped without any problems in the penalty area (33rd), were – with some goodwill – the most dangerous actions of the “Wolfs”. National goalkeeper Stina Johannes at least held on to a goalless draw at halftime against Hoffenheim’s left-back Lisann Kaut (41′).
“She-wolves” are increasing
Lerch brought attacker Beerensteyn on in the second half and his team now shifted the game much more into the guests’ half. Cora Zicai had a great opportunity to take the lead for Lower Saxony after a blocked cross from eight meters on the left. However, her powerful shot went past the goal on the right (53′).
There were tough duels: Wolfsburg’s Alexandra Popp (r.) and Hoffenheim’s Lisann Kaut.
At least as dangerous: Sarai Linder’s cross from the left from the right side became longer and longer and flew just past the visitors’ goal. It was also annoying for VfL that both Beerensteyn and Popp were only centimeters away from putting the ball on goal (62′). Janina Minge (63′), Beerensteyn (64′) and Peddemors (67′) had further good opportunities.
Ampoorter counters Beerensteyn
The Kraichgau women were barely able to free themselves from the clutches of the “she-wolves”. It wasn’t until the 71st minute that Feli Delacauw had another shot. The goal – and it was deserved after the numerous chances before – fell on the other side. Kessya Bussy, who was also a substitute, sent Beerensteyn on the half-left and the Dutchwoman stayed ice-cold in front of Dick and pushed in to make it 1-0 (72′).
The decision? No, because now things got wild. First, Laura Gloning got the ball on the right in the box and went down after supposed contact with Janou Levels. Clear foul play could neither be identified nor ruled out. Ampoorter didn’t care, she grabbed the ball and humourlessly sank it into the left corner as she saw it, Johannes had chosen the other corner (81′).
Vallotto fantastically to win
But it still wasn’t over. First, Kaut saw her second yellow card after a foul against Svenja Huth and had to leave the field with a yellow-red card (90th). And then came Vallotto’s big appearance, which was only brought on by Lerch in the 87th minute. TSG didn’t get the ball cleared after a free-kick cross, the Swiss took courage from a central position on the edge of the penalty area, hit the ball well and drove it into the net next to the left post for the celebrated winning goal (90th + 1). The “Finale Furioso” was perfect – and Peter Schilling’s “Major Tom (Totally detached)” was playing in the stadium.