VfL Wolfsburg were relegated from the Bundesliga after losing the second leg of the relegation playoff 2-1 away to SC Paderborn on May 25, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The aggregate score over two legs was 2-1 in favor of Paderborn, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg played in Wolfsburg three days earlier [1, 2, 3].
Wolfsburg took an early lead with Dzenan Pejcinovic scoring in the 3rd minute [1, 2]. However, Joakim Maehle received a red card 11 minutes after the goal, forcing Wolfsburg to play nearly the entire match with 10 men [1, 2, 3]. Paderborn equalized seven minutes before halftime through Filip Bilbija [1, 2].
The game remained level through regular time, pushing the match into extra time. Laurin Curda scored the decisive winner for Paderborn 10 minutes into extra time to secure the victory and Paderborn's promotion to the Bundesliga for the third time in the club's history [1, 2, 3]. After the final whistle, Paderborn fans celebrated by storming the pitch [3].
Wolfsburg have competed in the Bundesliga continuously since their promotion in 1997 and won the league title in 2009 [1, 2, 3]. They had survived relegation playoffs in 2017 and 2018 but finished third from bottom this season, forcing them into this final playoff series [1, 2, 3].
Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara made several saves during the match, and Christian Eriksen, who captained Wolfsburg, had signed a two-year contract with the club in September [1, 2, 3]. Paderborn's prior two promotions to the Bundesliga ended in immediate relegation [1, 2].
The decisive second leg of the playoff took place at Paderborn's home ground on May 25, following the scoreless first leg in Wolfsburg on May 22 [3]. Wolfsburg will now play in the 2. Bundesliga next season, while Paderborn prepare for their top-flight campaign.
