Fortuna Düsseldorf II vs TSV Steinbach

Pfahl's 24th-minute goal flipped the momentum. After conceding early, Steinbach responded with discipline — Lippert's equaliser settled the visitors, and Pfahl's finish before the break gave them control they never relinquished. “We were much more structured from our positions after that,” Steinbach coach Hüsni Tahiri told the club's official channel. Fortuna never recovered the ascendancy despite the late penalty.

Jakob Pfahl (TSV Steinbach) — Two goals (24', 79'), including the winner and the insurance strike. His movement in the box caused persistent problems for Fortuna's defence.

Max Lippert (TSV Steinbach) — The equaliser in the 12th minute steadied Steinbach after the early setback. His work rate in midfield set the tone for the visitors' comeback.

Ole Käuper (TSV Steinbach) — Converted the 68th-minute penalty that made it 3-1, effectively killing the contest before Fortuna's brief rally.

Connor David Tönnies (Fortuna Düsseldorf II) — Scored from the spot in the 76th minute to give his side a lifeline, but the hosts could not build on it.

Steinbach's four goals came from open play (Lippert, Pfahl x2) and two penalties — suggesting they pressed effectively high up the pitch to earn set-piece opportunities. Fortuna's two goals both stemmed from spot-kicks, indicating they created few clear-cut chances from open play. Sports Mole's pre-match model gave Fortuna a 47% win probability with 2-1 as the likeliest scoreline, but Steinbach's clinical finishing overturned that projection. The match produced six goals from 10 total shots on target (per FOX Sports data), a 60% conversion rate that points to a high-quality finishing display rather than chaotic defending.

This was Steinbach's final friendly before the Regionalliga Südwest season begins on 8 August 2026 away at title favourites SV Sandhausen. Steinbach finished their pre-season campaign with three wins and three defeats across six friendlies, including notable results against Schalke 04 II (1-0 win) and Fortuna Köln (3-2 win). For Fortuna Düsseldorf II, now playing in the Oberliga Niederrhein following the first team's relegation from 2. Bundesliga, this was the final test before their league campaign starts on 14-16 August. The U23 side showed fight through their late penalty but defensive lapses — conceding four goals for the second pre-season match in a row — remain a concern ahead of the competitive season.

Steinbach's quality told where it mattered. After a shaky opening three minutes, Tahiri's side controlled proceedings, created better chances and converted them with efficiency befitting a Regionalliga outfit facing lower-league opposition. Fortuna Düsseldorf II look a work in progress under new circumstances in the Oberliga, with defensive organisation needing attention before the real business begins.