VfL remained the more incisive and dangerous side after the restart: Kilian Fischer narrowly missed after good work from Reese (49’), Bernhardsson was denied from 11 metres (53’) and Shiogai was thwarted by the Karlsruhe goalkeeper (56’). It was not until the 74th minute that KSC threatened again, when Wanitzek forced VfL goalkeeper Jakub Zielinski into an outstanding save (74’). Soon afterwards, though, the action became almost entirely one-way traffic. Svanberg had already gone close to scoring the potentially decisive fourth goal (78’). In the closing stages, with KSC having run out of ideas, the Wolves – not flawless, but hungry throughout and, above all, hugely determined – finally put the result beyond doubt (88’/90’+5) and were ultimately able to celebrate a 5-2 rout with the large contingent of travelling VfL fans – a scoreline that was perhaps slightly flattering, but a victory that was by no means undeserved.
Goals
-----
* **1-0 Fukuda (7’):** Marcel Franke flicks on a corner from the right. Fukuda is unmarked in the box and heads Karlsruhe in front.
* **1-1 Bernhardsson (10’):** Wahl plays a long ball to Reese, whose pinpoint cross is headed home by Bernhardsson from the penalty spot for an immediate equaliser.
* **2-1 Wanitzek (12’):** Following a long ball forward, Wanitzek is afforded too much space on the edge of the box and finds the top corner with a precise finish.
* **2-2 Reese (28’):** Reese forces another equaliser! Under pressure, he cuts inside from the left and, with the power of a horse, thunders a long-range effort into the net to restore parity.
* **2-3 Souza (45’+2):** What a strike! Shortly before the break, Souza lets fly from almost 30 metres and catches the Karlsruhe goalkeeper wrong-footed. Game turned around. And in some style!
* **2-4 Wahl (88’):** Reese swings in a corner from the left and, after Glatzel’s knockdown, Wahl is in exactly the right place to head home.
* **2-5 Reese (90’+5):** Reese is not about to pass up this invitation: after a lapse in the KSC defence, he finds himself alone in front of an empty net and puts the result beyond doubt.
Line-ups and statistics
-----------------------
**Karlsruher SC:** Bernat – Jung (82’ Scholl), Franke, Kobald, Ofli – Väänänen (58’ Zor), Wiethaup (58’ Egloff), Wanitzek, Bergh – Fukuda (46’ Meyer), Ben Farhat (58’ Eichinger)
**Substitutes:** Himmelmann (GK), Tremoulet, Civeja, Ponente-Ramirez
**VfL Wolfsburg:** Zielinski – Fischer, Wahl, Angely, Maehle – Souza, Rexhbecaj (72’ Gerhardt) – Damar (66’ Svanberg) – Bernhardsson (79’ Besio), Shiogai (66’ Glatzel), Reese
**Substitutes:** Pervan (GK), Adjetey, Cleiton, Arnold, Hensel
**Goals:** 1-0 Fukuda (7’), 1-1 Bernhardsson (10’), 2-1 Wanitzek (12’), 2-2 Reese (28’), 2-3 Souza (45’+2), 2-4 Wahl (88’), 2-5 Reese (90’+5)
**Yellow cards:** – / Souza
**Goals:** 1-0 Fukuda (7’), 1-1 Bernhardsson (10’), 2-1 Wanitzek (12’), 2-2 Reese (28’), 2-3 Souza (45’+2), 2-5 Reese (90’+5)
**Referee:** Lars Erbst (Gerlingen)
**Attendance:** 28,143 at the BBBank Wildpark on Saturday afternoon