Birthday blues for Wagner: Hoffenheim beat Augsburg 3-0 | OneFootball

Hoffenheim put on a dominant display to secure a convincing 3–0 victory over Augsburg in a Bundesliga clash that rarely threatened to slip from their grasp.

From the opening minutes, the home side controlled possession, created numerous chances, and struck early through Touré, followed by goals from Burger and a deflected effort from Coufal/Zesiger. Augsburg showed some fight, but Hoffenheim’s discipline and tactical control left them with few opportunities to mount a serious challenge. The second half saw the visitors press briefly but ultimately fail to break Hoffenheim’s grip, as the hosts calmly managed the game to secure a well-deserved and comfortable win.

Here is our full match report:

First half:

It was supposed to be a celebratory evening for Augsburg head coach Sandro Wagner, who spent part of his playing career at Hoffenheim and now found himself on the touchline on his birthday. But the first half at the PreZero Arena turned into anything but a pleasant occasion for the visitors, as Hoffenheim delivered a powerful and dominant performance.

Hoffenheim started sharply, immediately imposing themselves in what was an intense and fast-paced opening phase. Their early pressure paid off after just 15 minutes, thanks to a beautifully executed counterattack. A long ball from Burger launched the move, sending Lemperle into a running duel with Matsima. But the decisive intervention came from Touré, who burst in at full speed, took control of the ball, and coolly slotted it between the legs of goalkeeper Dahmen. A deserved 1-0 lead for the hosts.

The momentum stayed firmly with Hoffenheim. Their flowing combinations, sharp passing, and relentless creativity in front of goal kept Augsburg on the back foot. After 26 minutes, their pressure told again: a rebound fell perfectly for Burger, who reacted quickest to fire home Hoffenheim’s second of the day.

Augsburg struggled to regain control, and Hoffenheim capitalized once more before the break. After a series of further chances, Coufal whipped in a dangerous cross that took a decisive deflection off Zesiger, wrong-footing Dahmen and rolling into the net for 3-0.

A dominant and thoroughly deserved first half result for Hoffenheim - and a long team talk ahead for Wagner on a birthday he will hope turns around quickly.

Second half:

After a scintillating first half that saw them take a 3–0 lead, Hoffenheim approached the second half with a clear plan: maintain control and avoid unnecessary risks. The team executed their strategy perfectly, turning the game into a more measured, cagey affair dominated by midfield battles.

Augsburg showed flashes of fight, with striker Essende unleashing a stunning long-range effort that found the back of the net. However, the goal was ruled out due to an offside in the lead-up, leaving Hoffenheim’s lead intact.

Despite Sandro Wagner pushing his side to respond, Augsburg rarely found any rhythm. Hoffenheim’s disciplined structure and relentless ball retention kept the visitors from mounting sustained attacks, often allowing them possession for only brief spells.

The final stages of the match played out exactly as Hoffenheim intended: calm, composed, and fully in control. The 3–0 scoreline reflected not only their dominance but also their ability to manage the game intelligently, preserving both the result and their confidence for upcoming fixtures.

Final Result: Hoffenheim 3–0 Augsburg