Teen defender Rothe lifts Union past struggling Holstein Kiel

Teenage defender Tom Rothe set up an early goal and scored late to seal a 2-0 win for Union Berlin at struggling newcomers Holstein Kiel.

The 19-year-old gave Union the perfect start, his pinpoint cross finding Aljoscha Kemlein in the box to head the Berliners in front after 18 minutes.

Kemlein's goal was his debut strike for the top side and made the 20-year-old the first Union junior product to score in the Bundesliga.

With Kiel, who are yet to taste victory after their maiden promotion to the top flight in the summer, pushing on the counter, Rothe headed in a Laszlo Benes corner in the 89th minute.

And that, Unioner, is that. Aljoscha and Tom both scoring... it's a great day out for the youth. Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. Eisern! pic.twitter.com/UXTpsrcBx4

— 1. FC Union Berlin (English) (@fcunion_en) October 20, 2024

The win was Union's first away victory this season and sent them past Borussia Dortmund into fifth place on the table, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

Rothe, who switched from Dortmund to Union in the summer, was expected to play mostly a back-up role this campaign but the deadline-day departure of Germany left-back Robin Gosens thrust him into the first team.

He has since started every match for Union in the league this season.

Later on Sunday, Wolfsburg host Werder Bremen.