Sinani's free-kick ensures St.Pauli defeat Augsburg | OneFootball

Bundesliga Matchday 3's Sunday entertainment opened up with a game in Hamburg as St.Pauli commenced battle with FC Augsburg. In what was a tightly contested affair, the visitors took the lead before being pegged back just before the interval. The result would be decided by a late Danel Sinani strike which secured the points for the hosts.

The midfield battle was clear for all to see at the Millerntor-Stadion but consequently meant chances were a rare commodity. Suddenly, the game burst to life as EliasSaad attempted to cross into the box. The ball bounced back to Noah-han Massengo who clipped it to the back post for Fabian Rieder to head home inside 15 minutes on debut.

St.Pauli endured a few dangerous moments at the back as their intricate build-up play almost presented Augsburg with a chance to double their lead. Eric Smith, put in a tricky situation by the visitors' press, meant an undercooked back-pass to Vasilj. Mert Kömur tried to flick it past the Bosnian shot-stopper but he grabbed it before he could do so.

The hosts eased into the game more despite their lack of clear-cut chances, however drama ensued before the break. Andreas Hountondji's effort from a corner met the raised hand of Cedric Zesiger. A brief VAR review left Harm Osmers pointing to the penalty spot. Finn Dahmen denied Hountondji initially but the rebound was kind to the Benin marksman who tapped home to an empty net.

Alexander Blessin made an interesting double alteration directly after the interval as Manolis Saliakas and Martin Kaars replaced Pyrka and goal-scorer Hountondji. St.Pauli came close to extending their lead minutes later as Mathias Pereira Lage stung the palms of Dahmen from a tight angle. Augsburg had a key chance of their own as Zesiger headed over from a Rieder cross.

Danel Sinani started to purr in the half spaces as he fed Kaars whose cross-come-shot narrowly avoided Pereira Lage past the hour mark. Saad looked to punish his former employers on the break minutes later but Vasilj was on hand to parry and prevent Fellhauer's follow up. Sandro Wagner swiftly called upon Alexis Claude-Maurice and Philipp Tietz for the last 20 minutes.

Given the free-flowing nature of the affair, a goal seemed inevitable and it came on 77 minutes as Fellhauer fouled Saliakas. Despite the acute angle, Sinani drove the ball in powerfully as it ricocheted off Zesiger and beyond Dahmen. The Swiss defender was most unfortunate to be involved in both of St.Pauli's goals which ultimately ensured victory.