Club women make history: Nuremberg secures Bundesliga survival with 3:0 against Essen

1. FC Nuremberg seized their chance in the decisive relegation battle and secured their place in the Women's Bundesliga ahead of schedule. In the 3:0 (1:0) win over SGS Essen at the Max-Morlock-Stadion, the decisive lead came early – and after the break, FCN made it a perfect evening, one that carries both sporting and symbolic weight (Report: BR, 08.05.2026).

With this victory, Nuremberg remains in the top flight with one matchday to spare. Fany Proniez, Nastassja Lein, and substitute Maelle Seguin scored in a match that was special for the Club women also because it broke a previous series of clear defeats against Essen.

Before kickoff, the message from the stands is clear: “Make history today” is written on a banner. On the pitch, Nuremberg immediately turns this ambition into something tangible.

Lightning start puts Nuremberg on track early

After 58 seconds, it’s 1:0. Proniez gets the ball on the right in the penalty area after a deflected shot and slots it into the far corner. The goal provides the perfect start in the relegation battle – and forces Essen to take more risks early on.

Afterwards, Nuremberg is initially more focused on defending than creating. Essen pushes at times for the equalizer and creates chances: Ella Touon forces goalkeeper Lourdes Romero into a flying save in the 17th minute, Leonie Köpp later shoots just over the bar from close range. Interim coach Isabel Bauer summed up the phase after the final whistle: She saw “major difficulties” in the first half.

After the break, FCN uses their counterattacks more consistently

After the change of sides, the dynamic shifts. Nuremberg gets more transition moments and plays them out more purposefully – the pattern fits the structure of a relegation match, where a lead not only provides security but also forces the opponent to leave spaces behind their own defense.

Nastassja Lein in particular becomes a key figure: In the 50th minute, she hits the crossbar after a counterattack, in the 56th she is blocked by Beke Sterner on another advance. Nuremberg keeps pushing – and is rewarded.

In the 64th minute, the decision for 2:0 falls. Again, it’s a quick move forward, Proniez squares the ball in the box, Lein pushes it over the line. It’s her eleventh goal of the season – and in this context, more than just a number: It visibly takes the game away from Essen and shifts the match decisively to Nuremberg’s side.

Shortly before the end, FCN adds a third goal. After a cleared corner, Seguin is ready at the edge of the box and volleys in to make it 3:0.

The victory has historic significance for Nuremberg

The impact of this evening goes beyond the 90 minutes. Nuremberg is in eleventh place and, for the first time after promotion, can plan for another Bundesliga season. In 2000 and 2024, the club was relegated immediately after promotion – so the relief over this successful step towards stability is all the greater.

The result is given extra spice by the direct comparison with Essen: Previously, Nuremberg had suffered clear defeats against SGS (0:5, 0:4, 0:2). Now, for the first time, they manage a 3:0 – of all matches, in the one where both teams were fighting for the foundation of the coming season.

Isabel Bauer, only in charge as head coach since the end of April and successor to Thomas Oostendorp, describes the emotional rollercoaster after securing survival like this: “We fought for this for a very long time” – and: “Everyone was very relieved that it worked out today.”

For Essen, the defeat has serious consequences. SGS is in 13th place; since goal difference is the tiebreaker for teams level on points at the end of the season, the significantly worse goal difference compared to Hamburger SV, who are three points ahead, could further worsen their situation. Relegation is therefore not mathematically certain, but after this result, it seems very likely.

Nuremberg wins with maximum impact: three goals, early survival – and an evening that sets a new benchmark for the Club women. For Essen, the path to staying in the league becomes even steeper after this match.