ROSTOCK, Germany (Interstat) — Hansa Rostock opened its 3. Liga season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Erzgebirge Aue on Saturday, securing a comeback win with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time at Ostseestadion.

The match, played on Jan. 17, 2026, appeared destined for a draw after the visitors erased an early deficit just before halftime. However, Rostock’s Ryan Don Naderi delivered the decisive blow in the fourth minute of added time, capitalizing on a late surge from the home side to claim all three points.

The game’s opening goal came from the foot of Rostock midfielder Jonas Dirkner in the 44th minute. Dirkner’s strike gave the hosts a lead they held for mere moments. In a stunning immediate response, Erzgebirge Aue substitute Marcel Bär found the net in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, leveling the score at 1-1 just before the break. Bär’s goal was assisted by fellow substitute Jonah Fabisch.

The second half saw both teams struggle to break the deadlock, with the physicality of the match reflected in five yellow cards issued throughout the contest. The tension escalated as the clock ticked past 90 minutes, but Rostock mounted one final attack. The winning sequence began with substitute Louis Lord, who played a key pass to Dirkner. The midfielder, who had already scored and been booked earlier, then provided the assist for Don Naderi’s last-gasp winner, completing a standout performance with a goal and an assist.

The result defied the pre-match projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 1-1 draw. However, it aligned with the same service’s ELO rating system, which gave Rostock an 84.10 percent probability of victory.

With the win, Hansa Rostock begins its 3. Liga campaign with a perfect record of one win and zero losses, both in the league and across all competitions this season. Erzgebirge Aue starts its season with a record of zero wins and one loss in the 3. Liga and overall.

The match was characterized by impactful substitutions. For Aue, Marcel Bär’s goal was the clear highlight. For Rostock, the introductions of Louis Lord and Eric Uhlmann, who also recorded an assist, provided crucial energy in the latter stages. Viktor Bergh of Aue was also credited with an assist on his team’s goal.

The victory provides a positive start for Hansa Rostock in front of its home supporters, while Erzgebirge Aue is left to rue a resilient defensive effort that ultimately fell short in the final seconds of play.