Heidenheim Survive Bundesliga Playoff Thriller with 95th-Minute Winner
Heidenheim secured their place in the Bundesliga for next season in the most dramatic fashion, clinching a 2–1 victory over Elversberg in the second leg of the relegation playoff — sealing a 4–3 aggregate win. The hero of the night was Brazilian forward Leo Scienza, who struck the decisive goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Following a tense 2–2 draw in the first leg, Heidenheim entered the match with clear intent and took an early lead in the 9th minute. Matthias Honsak capitalized on a perfectly timed through ball from Scienza, calmly slotting home in a one-on-one with the keeper.
Elversberg, backed by a passionate home crowd, responded with determination. In the 31st minute, captain Robin Fellhauer finished off a fluid attacking move to level the score at 1–1, bringing the tie back to life and setting up a nervy second half.
As the clock ticked deep into added time and extra time seemed inevitable, Scienza emerged once again — this time with a cold-blooded finish in the 95th minute to snatch victory and spark wild celebrations on the Heidenheim bench.
