VfL Wolfsburg threw away a commanding 3-0 lead to draw 4-4 with newly-promoted Energie Cottbus in a 2. Bundesliga thriller on 5 September 2026. Niko Kovač's side conceded a last-gasp equalizer in the first minute of injury time.
Robert Glatzel had seemingly put the Wolves in a comfortable position with a first-half brace, scoring in the 15th and 35th minutes. Bundesliga.** "I only need four more goals to become a seventh centurion goal scorer in 2. Bundesliga," the striker said post-match.
The visitors from Lusatia launched a remarkable comeback before half-time. Luca Erlein, the 19-year-old loanee from Bayer Leverkusen, pulled one back. Immediately after the restart, within the first five minutes of the second half, King Manu made it 2-3. Former Wolfsburg youth player Tolcay Ciğerci completed the turnaround from the penalty spot. Mattias Svanberg, who had just come on as a substitute, scored within seconds of his introduction to put Cottbus 4-3 ahead.
Wolfsburg's Mathys Angely was sent off five minutes from time. Then, in the first minute of added time, two Cottbus substitutes combined for the stunning finale. Christian Kinsombi cut the ball back for fellow substitute Dmytro Bohdanov, who slotted home for the 4-4 draw. The 19-year-old loanee from Union Berlin has now scored in his first two 2. Bundesliga appearances. For Energie Cottbus, the point ended a three-game losing streak.
The two dropped points are particularly painful for a Wolfsburg side that started the season as a promotion candidate. Following a 4-3 defeat at Greuther Fürth the previous week and this draw, the team slipped to third in the table. As of 7 September 2026, VfL Wolfsburg sits in fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga. The team has eight points from four games, with two wins and two draws. They have scored 10 goals and conceded six, for a goal difference of plus four. In the title race, they trail leaders Hertha BSC by four points. The full league picture is available on our standings page.
The team must quickly move on from their disappointing home form, having failed to win either of their opening two home games. Focus now shifts entirely to the next away fixture. On 12 September 2026, VfL Wolfsburg travels to face FC St. Pauli, who are currently 15th in the table. All upcoming fixtures for the season are listed in our fixtures calendar. To prepare for the challenge in Hamburg, manager Kovač can call upon his full squad, aside from Angely's suspension.
