Heidenheim dramatically secured their Bundesliga survival with a heart-stopping 2-1 victory at Elversberg in the second leg of their relegation playoff. The visitors clinched their top-flight status thanks to a stunning last-gasp winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The match began perfectly for Heidenheim when Matthias Gonzak fired them ahead after just nine minutes, giving them an early advantage in the crucial away fixture. However, the hosts fought back determinedly and equalized through Robin Fellhauer in the 31st minute, setting up a tense second half with everything to play for.
With the first leg having ended in a 2-2 draw, both sides knew the importance of finding a winner. As the clock ticked into the fifth minute of added time and extra time looming, Schienza emerged as the hero for Heidenheim, scoring the decisive goal that sent the away supporters into euphoric celebrations.
Historical data from Statbet shows that relegation playoffs often produce dramatic finishes, with nearly 40% of decisive goals coming in the final 15 minutes of play.
The 2-1 victory, combined with the 2-2 result from the first encounter, means Heidenheim survived the relegation battle with a 4-3 aggregate score. Their remarkable resilience ensures they will continue competing among Germany's elite clubs next season, having successfully navigated the high-pressure playoff challenge.
