Bundesliga
Union Berlin edged past St. Pauli 1-0 at the Millerntor-Stadion thanks to Rani Khedira's 44th-minute strike. Despite a much-improved second half, the hosts couldn't find an equaliser and were unable to avoid a club-record eighth straight Bundesliga defeat.
St. Pauli 0-1 Union Berlin
Goals: 0-1 Khedira 44’
Union arrived at the Millerntor brimming with confidence after becoming the only team to take points off league leaders Bayern Munich before the international break.
In stark contrast, Pauli were desperate to halt a disastrous run of seven consecutive defeats that had erased memories of their bright start to the campaign.
Alexander Blessin made two changes to his struggling side, with captain Jackson Irvine making his first Bundesliga start of the season alongside Andréas Hountondji. Union boss Steffen Baumgart welcomed back captain Christopher Trimmel from suspension, while Andrej Ilić returned after missing the Bayern draw through illness.
The first half proved a cagey affair in windy Hamburg conditions, with both sides struggling to create clear opportunities.
Mathias Pereira Lage came the closest for the hosts, heading narrowly wide before the decisive moment arrived just before half-time.
Trimmel launched one of his trademark long throw-ins into the penalty area, and though Pauli won the initial header, their clearance fell perfectly for Khedira. The midfielder's first effort was blocked, but he hammered the rebound into the bottom corner with precision to give the visitors a crucial advantage.
The second half saw a transformed Pauli emerge with renewed purpose, winning the ball back significantly quicker and pinning the visitors back.
Joel Chima Fujita forced Frederik Rønnow into his first meaningful save on the hour mark before Hauke Wahl's header tested the Danish goalkeeper soon after.
Blessin introduced Danel Sinani and Abdoulie Ceesay to freshen his attack, with the changes nearly paying immediate dividends. The hosts' best chance arrived in the 74th minute when Sinani played a delightful pass to Pereira Lage, who turned sharply and fired a low shot that beat Rønnow but agonisingly struck the post.
The Kiezkicker continued to press, with Sinani's corner nearly finding the net directly in the 85th minute only for Janik Haberer to clear off the line, while James Sands headed wide in stoppage time from another dangerous Sinani delivery.
The Union midfielder led by example at the Millerntor, scoring the decisive goal with a composed finish from a difficult situation.
Beyond his clinical strike, Khedira was instrumental in both phases of play, winning 15 challenges - the most of any Union player - while providing a vital shield in front of the defence.
His tactical intelligence helped disrupt Pauli's rhythm throughout the first half, and though he received a yellow card immediately after the break, he continued to position himself effectively to block passing lanes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: St. Pauli 0.74 - Union Berlin 0.47
Fastest player: Wooyeong Jeong (Union Berlin), 33.31 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Rani Khedira (Union Berlin), 12 per cent
Most pressed player: Joel Fujita (St. Pauli), 18 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Arkadiusz Pyrka (St. Pauli), 2.48
Fantasy Heroes: Hauke Wahl (St. Pauli, 304 Points), Leopold Querfeld (Union Berlin, 282 Points), Rani Khedira (Union Berlin, 239 Points)