BERLIN — Xavi Simons and Benjamin Šeško found the net as Leipzig secured a 2-0 victory against newly promoted St. Pauli, maintaining their position in fourth place in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

The duo’s first-half contributions ensured that Leipzig clung to the final Champions League qualification spot, sitting just one point ahead of Stuttgart with 13 matchdays left in the season.

Leipzig was tested after the 69th minute when their captain, Willi Orbán, received a red card for a foul on Elias Saad inside the penalty area. However, goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi was sharp, thwarting attempts from Johannes Eggestein and Hauke Wahl, thus preserving the clean sheet despite intense pressure from St. Pauli late in the game.

Simons provided a perfectly placed through ball for Šeško, enabling the latter to find the back of the net in the 16th minute. Šeško skillfully maneuvered past defender David Nemeth before slotting the ball inside the far post. Later, in the 35th minute, Šeško returned the favor, allowing Simons to score with a well-timed setup.

This match highlighted the stark differences between the two clubs. Leipzig was established in 2009 with the backing of the energy drink company Red Bull to elevate its brand, while St. Pauli has long been recognized for its anti-establishment ethos, symbolized by the iconic pirate skull-and-crossbones emblem embraced by its supporter base, many of whom identify as punks.

In an earlier encounter, Holstein Kiel and Bochum produced a gritty 2-2 stalemate. The match was marred by injuries, with four players forced off the pitch.

Myron Boadu netted two goals in quick succession following an early penalty by Steven Skrzybski for Kiel. David Zec later equalized with a header off a free kick delivered by American defender John Tolkin, marking Tolkin’s first assist in his third outing since transferring from the New York Red Bulls, another club under the energy drink company’s worldwide umbrella.