FC Augsburg secured a vital 1-0 victory over struggling 1. FC Heidenheim at the WWK Arena, with Alexis Claude-Maurice's late penalty proving the difference.
FC Augsburg edged a tense Bundesliga encounter against 1. FC Heidenheim, claiming all three points through a late penalty on February 15, 2026. The solitary goal from Alexis Claude-Maurice in the 80th minute was enough. This hard-fought win provided a crucial boost for the hosts.
Coming into the match, Augsburg sat 13th in the Bundesliga table, aiming to solidify their position away from the relegation dogfight. Meanwhile, 1. FC Heidenheim languished at the bottom, 18th, desperately needing points to spark a survival bid. The stakes were high for both sides at the WWK Arena. Heidenheim's recent form, marked by five losses in their last five league games, underscored their precarious situation.
The opening half saw a cagey affair with neither team truly asserting dominance. Heidenheim shaded possession slightly, with 51% to Augsburg's 49%. Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Heidenheim registered more shots overall, firing 10 attempts from outside the box. However, many of these efforts were speculative and lacked precision. Augsburg's defense, marshaled by Keven Schlotterbeck, held firm.
Augsburg's attacking efforts were limited. They managed only a few glimpses of goal. Goalkeepers Diant Ramaj for Heidenheim and Finn Dahmen for Augsburg were not severely tested. The sides went into the break level.
The first 45 minutes concluded without a breakthrough, reflecting the cautious approaches. Both managers would have called for more urgency and creativity in the final third. The game felt poised for a moment of individual brilliance or a tactical shift.
The second period began with an increased tempo. Augsburg made early changes in the 59th minute, bringing on A. Kade and M. Gregoritsch to inject fresh attacking impetus. Heidenheim responded with their own substitutions five minutes later, introducing C. Conteh and S. Schimmer.
The game remained tight, but Augsburg started to apply more pressure. The turning point arrived in the 79th minute when Heidenheim's B. Gimber received a yellow card for a foul inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot.
Alexis Claude-Maurice stepped up confidently to take the resulting penalty. He drilled the ball past Ramaj in the 80th minute, breaking the deadlock and sending the home crowd wild. Augsburg clung to their narrow lead.
Heidenheim pushed for an equalizer, making further substitutions to bolster their attack. However, Augsburg defended resolutely. Late yellow cards were shown to Augsburg's Finn Dahmen (90+3) for time-wasting and Heidenheim's B. Zivzivadze (90+4) for roughing, highlighting the tension.
Statistical analysis reflected a close contest, though Augsburg had the better quality chances. The hosts finished with an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.91 compared to Heidenheim's 0.97. Augsburg registered 12 total shots with 4 on target, while Heidenheim had 16 shots but only 2 found the target. Keven Schlotterbeck stood out for Augsburg with an impressive 8.7 rating for his defensive display.
This vital victory lifts FC Augsburg further from the immediate relegation zone, giving them breathing room in the tightly packed Bundesliga mid-table. For 1. FC Heidenheim, the defeat deepens their woes at the foot of the league. They face an uphill battle to avoid the drop, with points becoming increasingly scarce.
