Schalke 04 strike late to clinch Europa League qualification

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a late winner as Schalke 04 earned a 1-0 victory to secure Europa League qualification and send SC Paderborn to the bottom of the Bundesliga.

Despite the obvious frustration coming from the home supporters following their recent poor form, Schalke made a bright start to dominate possession in the early stages.

However, it was Paderborn who looked more dangerous in attacking areas, and they twice went close as Moritz Stoppelkamp and Lukas Rupp both fired a few inches wide of the post.

Schalke were struggling to create opportunities, and only a fine save from Ralf Fahrmann prevented Marvin Bakalorz from handing the visitors the lead with a firm header.

Paderborn sensed an opportunity to cause an upset either side of the half-time interval, but they were denied once again when Fahrmann produced a smart stop after Suleyman Koc had evaded a couple of challenges in the box.

Julian Draxler saw plenty of the ball after being introduced at the break, but he struggled to make a difference as both sides found it tough to create chances in the second half.

A moment of brilliance almost made the difference with 15 minutes remaining when Dennis Aogo came agonisingly close to finding the top corner with a 25-yard strike.

There was still time for another opportunity as Draxler drifted away from his marker to connect with a Jefferson Farfan cross, but he could only head over from a great position.

Paderborn looked on course for a deserved point until the 89th minute, when Huntelaar relieved the pressure on Roberto Di Matteo's shoulders by heading in from Tranquillo Barnetta's cross to send the visitors to the brink of relegation.