2. Bundesliga: Zoma strike sends Nürnberg top with narrow win at Karlsruhe

The visitors dominated possession for large periods at the BBBank Wildpark but were made to work for their fifth victory of the campaign, with Mohamed Ali Zoma’s first-half strike ultimately proving enough to secure all three points.

Nürnberg entered the contest unbeaten after five matches and immediately looked comfortable in possession, although Karlsruhe had the first real opening of the afternoon.

A moment of danger almost gifted the hosts the lead in the seventh minute when Javier Fernández’s attempted back pass was not dealt with cleanly by Nürnberg goalkeeper Jan Reichert. The ball rolled towards goal before eventually striking the outside of the post.

The visitors gradually took control of proceedings, circulating the ball patiently and keeping Karlsruhe pinned inside their own half. Their first genuine opportunity arrived in the 26th minute when Timo Janisch was played through into the penalty area, but his effort from a tight angle was saved by Hans Christian Bernat.

Nürnberg’s pressure finally told five minutes later.

After a quick passing move through the centre, Piet Scobel’s clever flick released Javier Fernández, who then played a low pass into the path of Zoma. The Italian international made no mistake from 12 metres, firing into the top-right corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The goal was Zoma’s sixth of the season and saw him continue his impressive start to the campaign. 

Karlsruhe responded with a spell of pressure before the interval. Marvin Wanitzek came closest to an equaliser when he cut inside and unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but Reichert reacted well to push the ball away.

Nürnberg therefore took a deserved lead into the break, having controlled much of the first half without creating a huge number of clear-cut chances.

Karlsruhe made two changes at half-time, introducing Sandro Trémoulet and Jason Ponente-Ramirez in an attempt to change the momentum.

The hosts began the second half with greater attacking intent and Ponente-Ramirez immediately tested Reichert with a powerful effort from around 22 metres, although the Nürnberg goalkeeper held the ball.

The visitors continued to threaten on the counter, with Zoma creating an opportunity for Piet Scobel in the 53rd minute. The forward’s effort from inside the box, however, flew over the crossbar.

Karlsruhe thought they had found an equaliser in the 63rd minute when Rafael Pinto Pedrosa’s long-range effort bounced beyond Reichert and into the net. However, the assistant referee had already raised his flag for an offside offence earlier in the move, and the VAR review subsequently confirmed that the goal would not stand. 

That gave Nürnberg further breathing room, although the visitors were unable to find the second goal that would have settled the contest.

Both sides made further changes as the match entered its final stages, with Miroslav Klose introducing Rafael Lubach and William Bøving, while Karlsruhe continued to search for an opening.

The hosts enjoyed their best spell late on, but Nürnberg’s defence remained composed. A late opportunity for Rayan Ghrieb offered the visitors a chance to double their advantage, although his effort from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

Three minutes of stoppage time were added, but Karlsruhe could not find a way through.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-0 victory for Nürnberg, who move onto 16 points from their opening six matches and temporarily take top spot in the 2. Bundesliga. Karlsruhe remain 12th with five points.