Paderborn’s goal scorers, midfielder Moritz Stoppelkamp (L) and striker Elias Kachunga (R)

Paderborn midfielder Moritz Stoppelkamp scored a “once in a lifetime” 80-metre goal on Saturday which helped his team stay top in Germany.

The promoted side defeated Hanover 2-0 with Elias Kachunga scoring in the 71st minute and Stoppelkamp adding his extraordinary long-range special in the third minute of injury time.

“I didn’t know that I could even shoot that far,” said the 27-year-old who found the net after Hanover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler had been up in the Paderborn area hoping to score a stoppage-time equaliser.

“The ball came just right and the shot was the only opportunity for me. I struck it perfectly. It’s great that I was able to do my part in the success of the team.”

Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter hailed Stoppelkamp’s memorable goal.

“That kind of goal is once in a lifetime. But he also had the quality to recognise the situation,” said Breitenreiter.