Bochum bow out with heads held high against St. Pauli | OneFootball

Myron Boadu brace provides final-day flourish for relegated Bochum against St. Pauli

Myron Boadu was the hero for already relegated Bochum, with the Dutchman scoring twice as the Ruhr club defeated St. Pauli 2-0 in their final Bundesliga match of the season. Despite defeat, St. Pauli secured their survival, ensuring their Bundesliga status for 2025/26.

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St. Pauli 0-2 BochumGoals: 0-1 Boadu 10’, 0-2 Boadu 66’ (assist: Passlack)

Alexander Blessin's Pauli started the day all but mathematically safe due to their superior goal difference over 16th-placed Heidenheim, while Dieter Hecking's men were playing for nothing but pride.

With survival all but assured, it was a party atmosphere inside the Millerntor-Stadion. (JM)

Boadu breaks the deadlock

The match began with the hosts dominating possession, but it was Bochum who struck first. In the 10th minute, Boadu turned on his clinical finishing, dancing past two defenders before nut-megging Hauke Wahl and slotting the ball past Nikola Vasilj. The goal came against the run of play and stunned the home crowd, who were already in party mode with their survival almost confirmed.

Boadu squeezed it past Vasilj after some superb individual skill to set himself up. (IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Max Vincen)

Woodwork denies St. Pauli

After going in at the break behind, Pauli reemerged in the second half looking to push for an equaliser, with substitute Noah Weißhaupt adding fresh impetus to their attack after replacing Oladapo Afolayan at half-time. The hosts came agonisingly close to levelling in the 58th minute when Philipp Treu's effort struck the woodwork, leaving the home fans in disbelief as to how they weren't level.

Philipp Treu came the closest of any Pauli player to finding the back of the net. (IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Max Vincen)

Boadu seals the deal

Despite Pauli's pressure, it was Bochum who struck again, with Boadu doubling their lead in the 66th minute. The Dutch striker finished off a clinical counter-attack, coolly slotting past Vasilj after being teed up by Felix Passlack. The goal effectively ended the competition, taking the sting out of Pauli's attacking play.

Boadu celebrated his second of the afternoon in front of a hugely dedicated cohort of travelling Bochum fans. (IMAGO/Andreas Hannig)

Bittersweet finale

As the final whistle blew, the atmosphere at the Millerntor-Stadion was one of mixed emotions. Pauli, despite the loss, had secured their Bundesliga status for another season, while Bochum celebrated a victory that had demonstrated their potential, even as they prepared for life in the second tier. Blessin led Pauli in their lap of honour, thanking the home fans for their support over the course of the season, whilst Hecking expressed pride in his team's performance, noting, "We wanted to give it our all again and play a good game. The players had the chance to leave the Bundesliga with their heads held high."

Player of the Match: Myron Boadu

Boadu's exceptional performance was the defining factor in Bochum's victory. The Dutch forward's two goals were not just well-taken, but came at crucial moments in the match. His first, a display of individual brilliance, was indicative of Bochum's efficient counter-attacking strategy. The second, a cool finish to a team move, effectively sealed the win. Beyond his goals, Boadu's movement and link-up play caused constant problems for the Pauli defence, making him the standout player on the pitch.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: St. Pauli 1.02 - Bochum 0.92Fastest player: Tim Oermann (Bochum), 33.55 km/hLowest goal probability: 0-1 by Myron Boadu (Bochum), 19 percentMost pressed player: Oladapo Afolayan (St. Pauli), 25 times under pressurePass efficiency: Danel Sinani (St. Pauli), +1.85

Fantasy Heroes: Myron Boadu (Bochum, 316 Points), Felix Passlack (Bochum, 176 Points), Timo Horn (Bochum, 146 Points)

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