Match report

HSV record 500th home win in emphatic fashion against Stuttgart

HSV secured three vital points and the club's 500th home win with a blistering victory against VfB Stuttgart. Hunt, Kostic and Arp were on the scoresheet for the Rothosen, as the home side blew away 10-man VfB with a thrilling second-half display.

HSV sealed their first three points since matchday two and the club’s 500th home win with a buoyant display against VfB Stuttgart. The away side had a man sent off a second yellow with only 13 minutes on the clock, and the Rothosen quickly capitalised through a Hunt free-kick. Despite many chances, HSV could not add to their lead and Stuttgart equalised from the spot early in the second half. HSV turned it up around the hour mark though, and goals from Kostic and Arp – his second in two games – saw the home team finish the game in style.

Aaron Hunt broke the deadlock with a first-half free-kick.

Tight lead at halftime

The home side started the match with plenty of vigour and determination with Kostic looking particularly lively down the left wing. When Stuttgart’s Burnic saw red for a second yellow card offence with less than a quarter of the game gone, it set the trend for much of the rest of the match. Aaron Hunt quickly put the Rothosen in front with a free-kick, the ball hitting the post and going in off VfB’s keeper, Ziegler.

The home side continued to press, taking advantage of the extra man, but couldn’t find the crucial second goal. Diekmeier went close twice, once slamming a shot just wide of the post, then sidefooting a shot straight at the keeper after Kostic had crossed the ball in.

Fiete Arp sealed the 500th home win with his second goal in two games.

A decisive second goal

The match was turned on its head ten minutes into the second half. The referee turned to VAR to award a penalty after Diekmeier handballed in the box and the resulting spot kick was emphatically dispatched by Gincez, causing a fair few nervous jitters in the stadium. Was the 500th home win at risk? It only took ten minutes for HSV to seize back the lead and the initiative, though. Ito twisted and turned outside the box before releasing Diekmeier, who put it on a plate for Kostic. A lovely move, but a goal possibly outdone by the brilliance of Arp’s finish. The 17-year old received the ball, swivelled, then turned away from the defender before whacking his shot into the far corner via the post for his second goal in two games. Cue the Volksparkstadion erupting with joy. HSV continued to press, but really the game was over by then, and the final 20 minutes were a formality, as the Rothosen marched on to seal the 500th home win, and thus make club history.

Match facts:

Hamburger SV: Mathenia - Diekmeier, Papadopoulos, Mavraj, Douglas - Ekdal (89’ Janjicic), Sakai - Ito (67’ Waldschmidt), Hunt (81’ Hahn), Kostic - Arp

VfB Stuttgart: Zieler - Beck, Baumgartl, Pavard, Insua - Burnic, Aogo - Asano, Akolo (82# Ailton), Özcan (66’ Mangala) - Ginczek (75’ Terodde)

Goals: 1-0 Hunt (20’), 1-1 Ginczek (55’, pen.), 2-1 Kostic (64’), 3-1 Arp (69’)

Attendance: 54,976

Referee: Guido Winkmann

Yellow Cards: Douglas (46’), Papadopoulos (75’) / Burnic (5’)

Yellow-Red Cards: - / Burnic (13’)