Kickers Emden 1–3 FC St. Pauli: Visitors Prevail in Pre-Season Clash

Kickers Emden were defeated 3–1 by FC St. Pauli in an International Club Friendly on 5 July 2026. The match, played at Emden’s home ground, saw the second-tier German side outclass their lower-league opponents with a dominant second-half performance.

FC St. Pauli opened the scoring early through a well-placed header, but Kickers Emden pulled level just before half-time with a penalty. However, St. Pauli reasserted control after the break, netting twice more to secure a comfortable victory. The result provided St. Pauli with a confidence-boosting win as they continue their pre-season preparations.

Match Overview

Kickers Emden, a club from the German Regionalliga, faced a significant step up in class against FC St. Pauli, who play in the 2. Bundesliga. Emden showed grit to equalize but could not sustain the pace, while St. Pauli’s superior fitness and technical quality told in the second half. The match was a useful test for Emden to gauge their level against professional opposition.

Key Moments

• 8' – Goal St. Pauli: A curling free kick was headed in by the centre-back at the far post.
• 44' – Goal Emden: A handball in the box gave Emden a penalty, which was smashed into the roof of the net.
• 56' – Goal St. Pauli: A quick counter-attack ended with a low cross and a tap-in from six yards.
• 74' – Goal St. Pauli: A long-range strike that deflected off a defender wrong-footed the goalkeeper.

What It Means

For FC St. Pauli, this win builds momentum ahead of their 2. Bundesliga campaign. Their ability to find the net three times, including two after the break, shows positive signs for their attacking depth. Kickers Emden, meanwhile, can take heart from their competitive first half but will need to work on defensive concentration against stronger opponents.