Hamburger SV came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over 10-man TSG Hoffenheim and claim consecutive Bundesliga wins.
The result marks a significant turnaround for Hamburger SV after their difficult start to the season, while Hoffenheim have now suffered four defeats in their opening five league matches in two of the past three campaigns.
Having defeated 1. FC Koln 2-1 before the international break, Hamburger SV made the brighter start and moved in front through Yussuf Poulsen.
Albert Sambi Lokonga’s long free-kick was controlled by Nicolas Capaldo, whose effort struck the far post. Poulsen reacted quickest to the rebound, steering the ball into the net.
It was the Denmark international’s first run of goals in successive league matches since December 2023.
Hoffenheim gradually took control of the remainder of the first half, although Hamburger SV survived an anxious spell in added time.
Bambase Conte appeared to have levelled when he shot beneath Daniel Heuer Fernandes, but the goal was disallowed because Tim Lemperle had fouled Warmed Omari during the build-up.
The hosts continued to threaten, however, and finally equalised in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Heuer Fernandes kept out Lemperle’s header, but Fisnik Asllani was ready to follow up. Sebastiaan Bornauw attempted to prevent him from scoring, only to divert the ball into his own goal.
Hoffenheim carried their momentum into the second half and took the lead with a moment of individual quality from Conte.
The forward collected the ball from Asllani, drove towards goal and turned away from Sambi Lokonga before striking an effort inside the near post. It was Conte’s first Bundesliga goal, coming shortly after he had won three caps for Germany.
Their advantage was undermined when Bernardo was sent off for a second yellow card after a late challenge on David Møller Wolfe. The dismissal left Hoffenheim with 10 men for the final 25 minutes.
Hamburger SV began to press for another equaliser and thought Otto Stange had scored his first top-flight goal, only for the effort to be ruled out for handball.
The visitors then restored parity when Terem Moffi rose above Ozan Kabak to meet Miro Muheim’s cross and powered his header into the net.
There was still time for Hamburger SV to complete the comeback. In the closing moments of stoppage time, Hoffenheim failed to clear the ball beyond Muheim. The defender watched it loop towards him before striking a superb volley into the bottom corner to secure all three points.