Bundesliga
Holstein Kiel secured their first-ever Bundesliga win with a 1-0 victory over Heidenheim. Patrick Erras' header - his first Bundesliga goal - proved decisive at the Holstein-Stadion in a match of end-to-end action.
Holstein Kiel 1-0 Heidenheim
Goals: 1-0 Erras 28' (assist: Geschwill)
The match began with both sides cautiously feeling each other out, but it was Kiel who gradually took control. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Patrick Erras rose highest to meet a well-placed header from Max Geschwill, nodding past the Heidenheim goalkeeper to send the home crowd into raptures. The goal seemed to ignite the match, with chances coming thick and fast at both ends. Léo Scienza came close for Heidenheim, forcing a save from Timon Weiner, while Paul Wanner saw his close-range effort blocked by a trio of Kiel defenders in a frantic goalmouth scramble.
The first half ended with controversy as Heidenheim were initially awarded a penalty, only for referee Willenborg to overturn the decision after a VAR review. The second half saw Heidenheim push hard for an equaliser, dominating possession and creating several promising opportunities. Schmidt threw on attacking reinforcements, with Mathias Honsak and later Mikkel Kaufmann entering the fray. However, Kiel's defence, marshalled by the impressive Erras, stood firm against the onslaught. Weiner in the Kiel goal was called into action multiple times, making crucial saves to preserve his team's lead.
As the match entered its final stages, Kiel's resolve was tested to its limits. Phil Harres, who had been a constant threat for the hosts, squandered a golden opportunity to double the lead when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper, dragging his shot wide. This miss almost proved costly as Heidenheim mounted a late surge. In the dying moments, Scienza had a chance to snatch a point, but his effort flew wide of the post, much to the relief of the home supporters. When the final whistle blew, the Holstein-Stadion erupted in celebration of a historic first Bundesliga victory for Kiel.
While several players put in commendable performances, it was Patrick Erras who truly stood out as the match-winner for Holstein Kiel. Not only did Erras score the decisive goal with a perfectly timed header, but he was also a rock at the heart of Kiel's defence. His aerial prowess was evident throughout the match, winning crucial headers in both boxes. Erras' positioning and reading of the game were instrumental in thwarting Heidenheim's attacks, particularly during the intense second-half pressure. With a goal probability of just 26 percent for his header, Erras showed his clinical nature in front of goal. His leadership and composure helped steady the team as they navigated the final nervy minutes to secure this historic victory.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Holstein Kiel 1.67 - Heidenheim 1.40
Fastest player: Sirlord Calvin Conteh (Heidenheim), 34.02 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Patrick Erras (Holstein Kiel), 26 percent
Most pressed player: Steven Skrzybski (Holstein Kiel), 23 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Tymoteusz Puchacz (Holstein Kiel), +2.96
Fantasy Heroes: Patrick Erras (Holstein Kiel, 294 Points), Max Geschwill (Holstein Kiel, 281 Points), Timon Weiner (Holstein Kiel, 208 Points)