Controversial red card: HSV fall to Freiburg with ten men | OneFootball

HSV has started the 2026 football year with a bitter defeat. After taking the lead, the Red Shorts lost 1-2 to SC Freiburg. A yellow-red card against Daniel Elfadli turned the game around.

Freiburg took control of the game from the start and put the visitors under early pressure. As early as the opening phase, a cross from Matthias Ginter caused the first danger (7’). Shortly after, Lukas Kübler had a great chance to take the lead after a strong cross-field pass from Yuito Suzuki, but only hit the bar from close range (9’).

The Sport-Club remained dominant, while HSV sat deep and could hardly relieve the pressure. Another promising attacking scene arose when Phillip Treu received a long pass and set up Lucas Höler, who was denied by the alert Daniel Heuer Fernandes (19’).

Despite plenty of possession, the Breisgauers often lacked the necessary pace to make decisive breakthroughs as the game went on. HSV, on the other hand, became bolder shortly before halftime: Nicolas Capaldo narrowly missed after a strong pass from Fabio Vieira (41’). In stoppage time, Noah Atubolu also saved a free kick from Vieira (45’). Still, the goalless draw at halftime was quite flattering.

Photo: IMAGO

HSV comes up short with ten men

HSV came out of the dressing room with a bang and took an early lead. After a corner from Miro Muheim, Luka Vuskovic rose highest and headed the ball into the right corner (48’).

Shortly after, however, the game was turned on its head: Daniel Elfadli brought down Höler in the penalty area, referee Timo Gerach awarded a penalty and showed the already booked Hamburg player a yellow-red card (51’) – overall a very harsh decision! Vincenzo Grifo took advantage of the opportunity and converted the penalty to equalize (53’).

With a man advantage, Freiburg increased the pressure, but clear chances were initially lacking. Igor Matanovic tried his luck with a long-range shot (69’) and a header (72’). HSV, due to being a man down, could only manage occasional counterattacks. But their valiant fight went unrewarded: Matanovic slotted home from close range after a cross from Jan-Niklas Beste to give Freiburg the lead (83’). A previous aerial duel between Johan Manzambi and Jordan Torunarigha sparked debate, but the goal stood.

In the final phase, the Hanseatics threw everything forward, even with ten men. However, their sporadic attempts did not yield the desired result, leaving a bitter 1-2 defeat in the end. A defeat that is sure to spark further discussion.

Nur die Raute – All the news about HSV

SC Freiburg – Hamburger SV 2:1 (0:0)

Freiburg: Atubolu – Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart (46. Jung), Günter – Eggestein, Manzambi (90.+4 Höfler), Treu (79. Beste), Suzuki, Grifo (65. Osterhage) – Höler (65. Matanovic)

HSV: Heuer Fernandes – Capaldo, Vuskovic, Elfadli – Jatta (78. Gocholeishvili), Lokonga (90.+2 Königsdörffer), Remberg, Muheim – Vieira (78. Ramos), Downs (78. Rössing-Lelesiit), Dompé (57. Torunarigha)

Goals: 0:1 Vuskovic (48’), 1:1 Grifo (53’), 2:1 Matanovic (83’)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.