Leipzig edge Hamburg in lively clash thanks to Baumgartner double | OneFootball

RB Leipzig claimed a hard-fought 2–1 win over Hamburg at the Red Bull Arena, with Christoph Baumgartner scoring both goals for the hosts.

After Albert Sambi Lokonga’s deflected shot brought HSV level early in the second half, Baumgartner struck back immediately to restore Leipzig’s lead. Hamburg pressed late - including a Jean-Luc Dompé free kick off the post - but Leipzig held firm to take all three points.

Here is a detailed match review for the clash between RB Leipzig and HSV:

First half:

Before kickoff, the home crowd paid an emotional tribute to Yussuf Poulsen, Leipzig’s record appearance holder, who joined Hamburg in the summer. A large banner and a standing ovation honoured the Danish striker’s contributions to the club - a fitting gesture for a player deeply woven into Leipzig’s modern history.

Once the whistle blew, both sides looked sharp and eager to attack. Leipzig created the first big chance of the game when Assan Ouédraogo slipped a clever pass through to Baumgartner, whose shot narrowly missed the target.

Hamburg, however, refused to sit back. The visitors matched Leipzig’s intensity, keeping the tempo high and finding spaces on the counterattack. Though clear scoring opportunities were rare in the opening half-hour, the match remained fast-paced and entertaining.

HSV nearly snatched the lead themselves when Ransford Königsdörffer rose highest to meet a corner, but his header from just two metres out sailed over the bar - a huge let-off for Leipzig.

Just before the interval, the home side finally made their pressure count. In the 45th minute, Antonio Nusa delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Baumgartner met it perfectly to head Leipzig into a 1-0 lead.

A deserved advantage for the hosts at halftime - and a fitting moment for Baumgartner, who had been lively throughout the opening period.

Second half:

Hamburg came out after the break full of energy and immediately put the hosts under pressure. Their effort was rewarded in the 48th minute, when Albert Sambi Lokonga’s strike from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection and looped over Peter Gulácsi to level the score at 1-1.

However, the party lasted barely a minute. Leipzig responded in ruthless fashion with a lightning-quick counterattack, and it was Baumgartner again who provided the finishing touch, calmly slotting home to restore the lead in the 50th minute.

The game remained open and fast-paced, with Hamburg refusing to back down. Ransford Königsdörffer had two promising opportunities to equalize but couldn’t quite find the target - one effort drifting just wide, the other comfortably gathered by Gulácsi.

Hamburg continued to threaten, and Jean-Luc Dompé came agonizingly close to making it 2-2 when his free kick struck the post midway through the half. The visitors piled on the pressure in the closing minutes, forcing Leipzig into a defensive battle, but Ole Werner’s side held firm.

After an intense final stretch, Leipzig managed to see out the game and secure all three points. The win owed much to Baumgartner’s clinical finishing and Leipzig’s resilience under pressure, as the hosts extended their strong home form despite Hamburg’s courageous showing.

Final score: RB Leipzig 2–1 Hamburger SV