FUERTH, Germany (Interstat) — Aaron Keller scored in the 87th minute as Greuther Furth defeated visiting Holstein Kiel 1-0 on Sunday. The match remained scoreless until the closing stages, when Keller finished off the only goal of the game. Dennis Srbeny provided the assist. Keller logged 24 minutes and scored once, while Srbeny logged five minutes and recorded one assist. Holstein Kiel could not produce an equalizer after falling behind, and Greuther Furth held on through the final minutes. The home side had worked its way into the match after a tight opening period, and the breakthrough arrived late enough to leave Holstein Kiel with little time to respond. Greuther Furth protected the narrow lead and secured the result in front of its home support. The game had been compact through much of the first half, with neither side able to turn possession into a clear scoring chance. Holstein Kiel’s Davidsen was booked in the 22nd minute, the first yellow card of the match. The first half ended without a goal, and both teams went into the interval level.

Holstein Kiel made two changes at halftime, bringing on Therkelsen and Parduzi. The visitors sought a different route through Greuther Furth’s defensive shape but continued to find the home side difficult to break down. Greuther Furth made its first substitution in the 66th minute, introducing Pohlmann. The home team kept pressing for the opening goal while Holstein Kiel tried to keep the match level and threaten on the counter. Kvilitaia was cautioned in the 73rd minute, adding to Holstein Kiel’s disciplinary total. The visitors then made another change in the 79th minute, replacing Kvilitaia. Greuther Furth made a double substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Sillah and Appelkamp. The home team made two more changes in the 85th minute, with Will and Dehm entering. Holstein Kiel used its final substitution in the 89th minute, bringing on Meffert. The substitutions continued after the break as both teams searched for a way to change the match.

By then, the decisive moment had already arrived. Keller’s 87th-minute goal gave Greuther Furth the lead, and the home side managed the remaining minutes without conceding. The goal came after Srbeny’s assist, rewarding Greuther Furth for a second half in which it pushed more numbers forward. Holstein Kiel was unable to answer before the final whistle. The visitors had their chances to reset the match after halftime, but the substitutions and cautions disrupted their rhythm. Greuther Furth’s late pressure finally told when Keller found the finish that separated the teams. The home side then defended with discipline and closed out the win. The final minutes were played with Holstein Kiel chasing the game and Greuther Furth looking to protect its advantage.

Holstein Kiel’s record in this competition is now one win, two losses and one draw. Greuther Furth’s record in this competition is now two wins and two losses. Across all competitions, Holstein Kiel stands at three wins, two losses and one draw, while Greuther Furth is at two wins and two losses. Holstein Kiel had won three of its previous five matches across competitions before the defeat, while Greuther Furth had lost two of its previous three. The result gave Greuther Furth a home victory in a match that had remained unresolved deep into the second half. Holstein Kiel’s late push did not produce an equalizer, and Greuther Furth saw out the clean sheet.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Holstein Kiel 2, Greuther Furth 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Holstein Kiel with a 90.4 percent probability to win. Holstein Kiel had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.25. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.75.