SC Verl capitalized on slip-ups by Hansa Rostock and MSV Duisburg and, following its victory over Stuttgart II, is now in second place in the standings.

Going into Matchday 22 of the 3. Liga, SC Verl was in third place in the standings. Thanks to their rivals’ results, SCV had the chance on Sunday against VfB Stuttgart’s U21 team to jump up to second place.

And SC Verl seized that opportunity with a spectacular second-half performance. SCV is now ready for the big clash against MSV Duisburg on the upcoming matchday.

The first half was an open game; both teams played offensively, both had their chances, but no goals were scored yet.

The decisive moment came seconds before the halftime whistle. Within ten minutes, Stuttgart defender Dominik Nothnagel committed two tactical fouls, resulting in him being sent off with a yellow-red card in stoppage time.

With the numerical advantage, SC Verl was unstoppable.

The numerical advantage gave Verl a boost after the break. Marco Wörner opened the scoring in the 56th minute. Five minutes later, following additional goals by Jonas Arweiler and Timur Gayret, the score was 3–0—the game was decided. Berkan Taz made it 4–0 on a penalty kick in the 68th minute. The newly promoted second-division team played it safe with this lead.

SC Verl’s next match is a blockbuster away game at MSV Duisburg (Sunday, February 8, 7:30 p.m.). VfB Stuttgart’s U21 team faces 1860 Munich on the upcoming matchday (Saturday, February 7, 4:30 p.m.).

Here are the lineups for SC Verl and VfB Stuttgart II

SC Verl: P. Schulze – Mhamdi, Ens, F. Otto, Kijewski (71′ Stöcker) – Gayret, Eze (58′ Foti), Waidner (71′ Stark), Taz (77′ Wessig) – Wörner (58′ Arweiler), Besio

VfB Stuttgart II: Hellstern – Olivier, Köhler (60′ Lüers), Nothnagel, Meyer – Catovic, Spalt, Darvich (69′ Penna), Sessa (46′ Herwerth), Diehl (60′ Groiß) – Ouro-Tagba (77. Jatta)

Goals: 1:0 Wörner (56.), 2:0 Arweiler (59.), 3:0 Gayret (61.), 4:0 Taz (68.)

Yellow-red card: Nothnagel (45.)

Referee: Jonah Besong