2. Bundesliga: Schalke take giant step towards promotion with dramatic comeback win over Paderborn

2. Bundesliga: Schalke take giant step towards promotion with dramatic comeback win over Paderborn

In a heavyweight clash between first and second, it was Paderborn who surged into a commanding 2-0 lead, only for Schalke to produce another display of resilience, capped by Dejan Ljubicic’s decisive 83rd-minute winner.

The hosts made the brighter start and struck after just 13 minutes. Mika Baur picked out the overlapping Laurin Curda on the edge of the area, and the full-back produced a stunning first-time volley into the bottom corner, leaving Loris Karius with no chance.

Paderborn nearly doubled their lead moments later through Stefano Marino, and they did just that in the 26th minute. A miscued effort from Ruben Müller fell kindly for Filip Bilbija, whose close-range attempt was denied by Karius, but Marino reacted quickest to the rebound to fire home and put the hosts firmly in control.

Schalke, however, responded in the manner that has defined their campaign. They pulled one back in the 35th minute when Moussa N’Diaye delivered an inviting cross into the box, allowing Ljubicic to stretch and guide the ball past Dennis Seimen.

The equaliser arrived just five minutes later. Adil Aouchiche initiated the move before releasing Moussa Sylla, whose effort was saved by Seimen, but Aouchiche followed in to convert the rebound and restore parity before the break after a breathless first half.