Match report

VfL Wolfsburg Defeats FC St. Pauli 2-1 in Bundesliga Clash

VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
2–1
FT
FC St. Pauli
FC St. Pauli
Jan 14, 2026

VfL Wolfsburg held off a spirited comeback from FC St. Pauli to secure a vital 2-1 win in their Bundesliga clash on January 14, 2026. Christian Eriksen's penalty and Dario Pejcinovic’s late goal ensured the three points for Wolfsburg as they maintained pressure at the top of the league standings.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: VfL Wolfsburg 2–1 FC St. Pauli
  • • Christian Eriksen scored from a penalty in the 25th minute, confirmed by VAR at 24 minutes.
  • • Eric Smith equalized for FC St. Pauli with an assist from Adam Dawidgala at 40 minutes.
  • • Dario Pejcinovic secured Wolfsburg's victory with a goal at 88 minutes.

Lineups

VfL Wolfsburg

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 K. Grabara (G)
  • 26 S. Kumbedi (D)
  • 15 M. Jenz (D)
  • 4 K. Koulierakis (D)
  • 25 A. Zehnter (D)
  • 31 Y. Gerhardt (M)
  • 27 M. Arnold (M)
  • 24 C. Eriksen (M)
  • 10 L. Majer (M)
  • 39 P. Wimmer (M)
  • 17 D. Pejcinovic (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 P. Pervan
  • 2 K. Fischer
  • 3 D. Vavro
  • 40 K. Paredes
  • 37 P. Hensel
  • 32 M. Svanberg
  • 5 Vini Souza
  • 11 A. Daghim
  • 9 M. Amoura

FC St. Pauli

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 22 N. Vasilj (G)
  • 25 A. Dzwigala (D)
  • 5 H. Wahl (D)
  • 3 K. Mets (D)
  • 11 A. Pyrka (M)
  • 6 J. Sands (M)
  • 8 E. Smith (M)
  • 21 L. Ritzka (M)
  • 16 J. Fujita (F)
  • 26 R. Jones (F)
  • 28 M. Pereira Lage (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 B. A. Voll
  • 2 M. Saliakas
  • 14 F. Stevens
  • 15 T. Ando
  • 23 L. Oppie
  • 34 J. Robatsch
  • 9 A. Ceesay
  • 17 O. Afolayan
  • 19 M. Kaars

Timeline

  1. VfL Wolfsburg
    24' VfL Wolfsburg Var · Penalty confirmed
    Y. Gerhardt
  2. VfL Wolfsburg
    25' VfL Wolfsburg Goal · Penalty
    C. Eriksen
  3. FC St. Pauli
    40' FC St. Pauli Goal · Normal Goal
    Eric Smith · Assist: Adam Dźwigała
  4. FC St. Pauli
    53' FC St. Pauli Card · Yellow Card
    L. Ritzka

    Foul

  5. VfL Wolfsburg
    55' VfL Wolfsburg Card · Yellow Card
    Moritz Jenz

    Persistent fouling

  6. VfL Wolfsburg
    61' VfL Wolfsburg subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Majer · On: M. Amoura
  7. FC St. Pauli
    68' FC St. Pauli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Ritzka · On: L. Oppie
  8. FC St. Pauli
    68' FC St. Pauli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ricky-Jade Jones · On: M. Kaars
  9. VfL Wolfsburg
    73' VfL Wolfsburg subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Saël Kumbedi · On: K. Fischer
  10. VfL Wolfsburg
    73' VfL Wolfsburg subst · Substitution 3
    Off: P. Wimmer · On: A. Daghim
  11. VfL Wolfsburg
    83' VfL Wolfsburg subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Zehnter · On: K. Paredes
  12. VfL Wolfsburg
    83' VfL Wolfsburg subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Y. Gerhardt · On: M. Svanberg
  13. FC St. Pauli
    84' FC St. Pauli Card · Yellow Card
    Adam Dźwigała

    Foul

  14. VfL Wolfsburg
    88' VfL Wolfsburg Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Pejcinovic · Assist: A. Daghim
  15. FC St. Pauli
    90' FC St. Pauli subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Pereira Lage · On: A. Ceesay

Match Stats

Stat VfL Wolfsburg FC St. Pauli
Fouls 10 9
Pass Accuracy 87% 78%
Offsides 4 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 9
Corners 7 4
Total Passes 620 396
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 5 4
xG 1.88 0.89
Shots off Target 4 4
Possession 61% 39%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 539 307
Shots Inside Box 9 4
Saves 3 3
Shots Outside Box 4 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ VfL Wolfsburg took the early lead through Christian Eriksen's penalty, setting the tone for their performance.
  • ▸ The match turned in favor of FC St. Pauli when Eric Smith scored an equalizer at 40 minutes, leveling the scoreline.
  • ▸ Dario Pejcinovic’s goal eight minutes from full time proved decisive as it secured Wolfsburg's victory and maintained their strong position in the Bundesliga.