Wolfsburg’s hopes of maintaining their Bundesliga status vanished in dramatic fashion on Monday evening at Paderborn. The Wolfsburger, featuring stars like Christian Eriksen, fell to a 2-1 defeat after extra time in the relegation playoff second leg, sealing their relegation to the 2.Bundesliga for the first time in nearly three decades.

The match began brightly for the visitors, who took the lead after just three minutes. Dzenan Pejcinovic capitalized on a precise pass from Adam Daghim to open the scoring, giving Wolfsburg an early advantage. However, the game quickly turned sour for the Wolfsburger as Joakim Maehle received two yellow cards in rapid succession—first in the 11th minute, then just three minutes later—effectively reducing them to ten men and shifting the momentum entirely in Paderborn’s favor.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Wolfsburg managed to hold their ground for about 30 minutes before Paderborn equalized in the 38th minute. Filip Bilbija rose highest to head home a long throw-in, restoring parity and leaving both teams level heading into the final stretch of regulation time.

The second half saw Paderborn dominate with 31 shots before extra time, relentlessly pressing for a winner that would have clinched their Bundesliga return. Wolfsburg’s defense, marshaled by the heroic Kamil Grabara in goal, held firm under immense pressure. However, their resistance ultimately crumbled in the dying moments of extra time. Laurin Curda, unmarked in the box after a cross from the left, slotted the ball past Grabara with ease in the 99th minute to seal Wolfsburg’s fate.

The defeat marks a historic low for a club that has been a Bundesliga mainstay since the late 1990s. Wolfsburg, once a competitive force in European football, now faces an uncertain future in the second tier. Meanwhile, Paderborn celebrates a remarkable achievement, securing promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time since the 2019-20 season.