VAR drama as Frankfurt edge Augsburg 1-0 | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over FC Augsburg thanks to a important strike from Ritsu Dōan, while the visitors had two goals chalked off by VAR. The match was a tense, dramatic affair, with Frankfurt ultimately coming out on top despite Augsburg’s bright moments.

Here is our full match report for the Bundesliga game between Frankfurt and Augsburg:

First half:

Augsburg thought they had taken the lead just five minutes in when Chrislain Matsima headed home from close range following a cross by Kristijan Jakić, moments after a corner had caused chaos in the Frankfurt box. However, celebrations were cut short as an offside position in the build-up was spotted, ruling out what would have been a shock early goal.

Frankfurt, lining up with a back four, appeared to need time to settle into the altered defensive structure. Spacing issues and a lack of coordination were noticeable early on, allowing Augsburg to enjoy spells of pressure and look comfortable in possession.

Despite the disallowed goal, Augsburg could be content with their opening performance: Under Manuel Baum, the visitors showed renewed sharpness and organisation, pressing intelligently and competing aggressively in midfield - clear signs that order has been restored after recent struggles.

Frankfurt gradually grew into the contest but lacked fluency in the final third, while Augsburg remained compact and disciplined, limiting clear chances before the interval.

With no goals on the board, the sides headed into half-time level, Augsburg encouraged by their performance and Frankfurt still searching for rhythm following their tactical adjustment and a tough game against Barcelona midweek.

Second half:

Seeking more attacking intent, Frankfurt made a double change at half-time, introducing Can Uzun and Nathaniel Brown for Mario Götze and Farès Chaïbi. For Uzun, it marked his first Bundesliga appearance since early November, as he suffered a muscle injury.

Frankfurt almost struck early in the second half when Rasmus Kristensen met a delivery with a powerful header, only to see his effort sail narrowly wide.

Augsburg then came close to taking the lead themselves: Fellhauer found space and got a shot away, but his effort rolled just past the post, sparing Frankfurt once more.

The breakthrough eventually arrived at the other end: Despite a frustrating afternoon up to that point, Ritsu Dōan produced a moment of quality, cutting in from the right wing towards the edge of the area before unleashing a shot. The effort took deflections off two Augsburg defenders, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and finding the back of the net to give Frankfurt the lead in the 68th minute.

Augsburg were fired up after this, trying everything in their powers to come back and get the draw. Mert Kömür came agonizingly close to scoring and his teammate Noahkai Banks actually scored the deserving equaliser in the 90th minute - but just as in the beginning of this match, the goal was taken back after VAR came calling.

In what was a full-circle moment, Augsburg were not able to get a “legal” goal in and the game finished 1-0 to Frankfurt, with Dōan being the hero of the day for all Frankfurt fans.