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Highlights

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Stuttgart stay up!

VfB win 3-1 on the night and 6-1 on aggregate to secure their spot in the Bundesliga next season. It's another moment of heartache for HSV, who lose out in the play-offs once again.
Full-time
End of second half
90'
+ 7

Silas seals the deal!

The substitute has acres of space inside the box on the break, jinks past a couple of defenders and coolly slots the ball in from eight yards out.
90'
+ 6
Silas Katompa Mvumpa
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
29 %
90'
+ 3

First in a while

Stuttgart could become the first team two win both legs in the promotion/relegation play-off since Wolfsburg did so in 2018 against Kiel.
90'
+ 1

Seven added minutes

We're into stoppage time now.
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
89'

Ito off the line!

Königsdörffer gets the better of Zagadou on the edge of the Stuttgart area, spins and races into the box. He flicks the ball past Müller, but Ito darts back in the nick of time to hook the ball clear.
87'

Time running out

VfB have spent the last little while in the HSV half, running the clock down. The hosts are still trying to get forward but this is a very steep mountain for them to climb, and not a lot of time left for them to do it.
82'

Threat on the counter

Not what HSV players or fans will want to see: Silas' pace and directness is the last thing the home team will want to deal with in these closing stages.
80'

Punching above their weight

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
1
0.56
1.74
1
Goals
76'

Kittel!

Another chance for the hosts as they push for another goal. The ball falls kindly for Kittel, 18 yards out, but his goal-bound shot is blocked for a corner by Anton. Moments later, Königsdörffer has a near-post header saved by Müller!
75'

So close from Glatzel!

Great pace from Jatta down the right and he pulls the ball back into the middle, finding Glatzel in the centre. It's the kind of delivery strikers dream off, but Glatzel's connection isn't quite clean enough and his shot from a central position, 10 yards out, bounces wide of the far post.
71'

Not over yet

HSV do have goals in them, so shouldn't be written off entirely yet. They recorded a 6-1 win over Hannover on 8 April this year, a 4-3 success over St. Pauli two weeks later, and beat Jahn Regensburg 5-1 on 14 May.
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Two shots, two goals

A ruthless display from Millot this evening, the 20-year-old proving decisive before being taken off moments ago.
67'

All change

After a spate of yellow cards there's also a spate of substitutions as both teams try to steer the match their way.
64'

The decider?

Millot gets his second of the game to surely put the result beyond Hamburg's reach. It's one that HSV goalkeeper Heuer Fernandes won't want to see again as he miscues an attempted clearance from a back pass. The ball rolls under his feet, allowing Millot to skip in and tap the ball into an empty net. That's 5-1 on aggregate now.
64'

Enzo Millot

GOAL!

1:2
Enzo Millot
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
86 %
61'

No nonsense

The visitors are well aware that the onus is on Hamburg to get forward now and push for goals. With that in mind, VfB are taking no risks, keeping a compact defence, reducing the spaces and breaking forward at pace when they can. It's clearly working: HSV haven't had a shot at goal in this half.
58'

Efficient

Stuttgart have only had one shot on target all game, but they've made it count...
Goal attempts
1off target
3on target
3off target
1on target
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Familiar face

Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who came through the youth ranks at Hamburg and made his Bundesliga debut for the club in 2007/08, is in the crowd today, cheering on his former side.
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Millot on a role

The young midfielder has truly blossomed under Sebastian Hoeneß, with all three of his goals this season coming since the tactician arrived. He also set up Stuttgart's second goal in the first leg.
50'

As it stands

That goal means it's now 4-1 on aggregate for Stuttgart. Hamburg need three goals to level the tie, and four more - without reply - to earn promotion.
48'

Millot levels!

An ideal start to the half from a Stuttgart perspective as the ball is played through to Guirassy on the left-hand channel. He spies Millot lurking in the middle and squares the ball to his unmarked team-mate, who makes no mistake from 10 yards!
48'

Enzo Millot

GOAL!

1:1
Enzo Millot
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
46 %
46'

Here we go again!

A big 45 minutes coming up. No changes from Hamburg but Stuttgart have made one change at the break as Zagadou replaces Mavropanos, who was on a yellow card.
Kick-off!
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All still to play for

Hamburg have been by far the better side so far in this game, and they have the lead thanks to Kittel's superb strike. Guirassy had the ball in the net at the other end of the pitch, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside. The game is bound to open up more after the break, with Hamburg needing two more goals to take it to extra time, and three to take a place in the Bundesliga next season outright. Stay tuned!
Half-time
45'
+ 2

Müller to the rescue!

Stuttgart struggle to clear a cross into the box and when Jatta heads it back across goal there are two HSV players lurking to poke it over the line. Müller is alive to the danger though and paws the ball clear. How vital could that intervention prove to be?
44'

Keeping it tight

HSV have had more shots, all of which have been from distance.
Goal attempts
1off target
2on target
2off target
0on target
41'

Wide from Glatzel!

It's the first shot of the game since the seventh minute as Glatzel finds space on the edge of the box, but his left-footed effort rolls wide of the upright.
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Feeling the strain

VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß embodying the emotions of pretty much everyone inside the stadium...
38'

Over from Guirassy

The VfB forward is bundled over in a central position, about 25 yards out. He takes the resulting free-kick himself and although he strikes it well, the ball is always rising and sails over the bar.
35'

Delightful Dompe

The HSV attacker skips past Mavropanos on the left as if he wasn't there and bursts forward. His cross into the middle comes to nothing, but that tussle between those two will be fascinating to watch, especially as the Stuttgart defender is on a yellow card now, so will have to be careful.
32'

Vital interception

Guirassy makes a diagonal run behind the HSV defence and a pass from a team-mate looks set to pick him out - but Schonlau reads the danger and intervenes to clear the danger.
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
1.
Chris Führich
Chris Führich33.58km/h
2.
Bakery Jatta
Bakery Jatta32.66km/h
3.
Josha Vagnoman
Josha Vagnoman32.51km/h
26'

Breathless HSV

The home team have collectively covered four kilometres (2.5 miles) more than VfB so far. Impressive as it is, you have to wonder how long they can sustain such a mammoth effort.
Distance run (km)
30.1
26.1
24'

Millot almost in!

Guirassy slides a pass into the HSV box down the right, looking for Millot but Heuer Fernandes is quick off his line to clear the danger. Moments later, the HSV goalkeeper breathes a sigh of relief after slipping inside the box, almost gifting Millot an open goal. The custodian just manages to nick the ball off his toe in time, though.
21'

Mental game?

Guirassy's goal may not have stood, but how much will it affect the players' minds? Hamburg know they need to get forward but have seen how dangerous VfB can be. It will also encourage Stuttgart as they know they are likely to get chances as the clock ticks on.
18'

Goal disallowed

Patient build-up from Stuttgart along the edge of the HSV box, with Millot flicking the ball over to Endo down the left. He gets to the byline and squares it for Guirassy, who executes a lovely back-heel on the spin, sending the ball over the line agonisingly slowly. It won't count, however, due to an offside call in the build-up.
16'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionNo goal
16'

No let up

Hamburg's fast start is reflected in the stats - they've seen plenty more of the ball than Stuttgart so far as they seek a second goal.
Possession (%)
6535
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What a hit, Son(ny)

Sonny Kittel now has six goals this season, all of which have come in Hamburg's last 10 games. Dompe provided the assist, making it his team-best 10th of the campaign.
10'

Stuttgart rattled

The visitors are a tad shaky in possession at the moment, having been rocked by HSV's strong start.
Passes
42
17
8'

Almost an instant response!

Führich has the legs on Heyer down the Stuttgart left ass he scampers into the box. He gets a shot away, but is slightly off balance under pressure from Heyer, and Heuer Fernandes makes a good save at his near post!
7'

What a goal!

Dompe collects possession on the left, nutmegs Mavropanos and moves inside into a central position before sliding it over to his right to Kittel. The midfielder takes a touch and arrows an unstoppable shot into the corner from range! Game on!
6'

Sonny Kittel

GOAL!

1:0
Sonny Kittel
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
3 %
5'

Big save from Müller!

Dompe takes the free-kick and smacks a swerving effort at goal that Müller does well to parry over the bar. The ensuing corner comes to nothing.
4'

Nervy moments

Another roar from the raucous home crowd as Florian Müller wants a bit too long on the ball and is closed down by Glatzel, only to punt the ball clear in the nick of time. Mavropanos then gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position, 25-yards out, left of centre...
2'

Hamburg probing

Jatta goes down in the box under pressure from Endo, prompting a huge roar from the home crowd wanting a penalty. The HSV attacker slipped, however, and the referee waves for play to go on.
1'

And we're off!

The hosts get the ball rolling in Hamburg!
Kick-off!
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Game faces on

HSV attacker Bakery Jatta looks primed and ready for this one...

More of the same?

While the teams had an equal share of possession in the first leg, Stuttgart had more shots (16 to seven), collectively covered more ground (111.7 km to 108.9 km) and won far more challenges (89 to 63). Will they gain the upper hand again here?
0:14
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Watch: Volksparkstadion filling up

More on those teams

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß has named an unchanged line-up following the 3-0 triumph in the first leg. First-choice goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow remains absent with a knee injury, so Florian Müller remains between the sticks. Hosts Hamburg have made just one change, with Francisco Montero coming in at centre-back for Jonas David, who is absent through illness.
0:52
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Watch: Stuttgart in the house!

Hamburg starting XI

Heuer Fernandes - Heyer, Montero, Schonlau (c), Muheim - Meffert, Kittel, Reis - Jatta, Glatzel, Dompe

Hamburg subs

Raab, Mikelbrencis, Zumberi, Kisilowski, Bilbija, Heil, Krahn, Königsdörffer, Sanne

Stuttgart starting XI

Müller - Mavropanos, Anton, Ito - Vagnoman, Karazor, Endo (c), Sosa - Millot, Guirassy, Führich

Stuttgart subs

Seimen, Stenzel, Zagadou, Haraguchi, Egloff, Nartey, Tomas, Silas, Pfeiffer
0:18
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Watch: Stage set in Hamburg

3:30
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Watch: Hamburg featured in one of the most dramatic play-offs ever

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Tale of two strikers

Serhou Guirassy may have missed a penalty in the first half on Thursday but did wrap things up with VfB’s third goal for his 14th in all competitions this season – no other Stuttgart player has more than six. The striker has four goals in his last five games. Conversely, HSV’s 19-goal top scorer Robert Glatzel has gone three without finding the back of the net, which equals his worst drought this season. He also failed to win any of his six duels up against Waldemar Anton in the first leg.
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Unlucky Meffert set for record?

Hamburg’s Jonas Meffert is set to play in a play-off match between the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 for the seventh time, which would be a new outright record for most appearances. The midfielder has failed in all three previous attempts at promotion, losing out with Karlsruhe in 2015, Holstein Kiel in 2021 and again with HSV last season.
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Watch: Hamburg 0-2 Hertha Berlin - highlights of last year's second leg

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VfB doing what they do best

It was two headers from corners against Cologne that kept Stuttgart up on the final day of last season. They’ve now also got two such goals in the first leg of this play-off to put them in control. And they’ve done so against the team that conceded the fewest set-piece goals in Bundesliga 2 this campaign just gone (five). However, HSV also conceded twice from dead balls in last year’s play-off as they missed out against Hertha Berlin.

Home form key

It’s over seven months since Hamburg last lost a game at the Volksparkstadion. Their 10 games in that spell have seen eight wins and two draws, with 30 goals scored – that works out at the three per game that they need at the very minimum here. They also recorded their biggest home win over Stuttgart the last time the sides met here, thumping a VfB side coached at the time by none other than Tim Walter 6-2. That would do nicely for them again tonight.
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HSV need to buck the trend

That 2-0 win for Nuremberg in 2009 was the last time a Bundesliga 2 club won their home leg of the play-off. In 13 games since, the second-division side has managed just five draws and eight defeats on their turf.

An insurmountable deficit?

In the 25th edition of the play-offs between Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, Stuttgart’s 3-0 victory was just the third time a first leg was won by at least a three-goal margin – and the first ever by a home team. Nuremberg previously won 3-0 in Cottbus before a 2-0 victory back home brought them up in 2009. And back in 1984, Eintracht Frankfurt followed a 5-0 thumping in Duisburg with a 1-1 draw at home.

History on Stuttgart's side

Stuttgart are hoping to become the 12th Bundesliga team to win the play-off in 15 editions since it was reintroduced in 2008/09.
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The Hoeneß effect

Stuttgart have been a different proposition since Sebastian Hoeneß took over in early April, with three wins and four draws in their last eight Bundesliga games enough to overhaul Schalke and Hertha Berlin and avoid automatic relegation. Completing victory over Hamburg would certify their progress under the former Bayern Munich youth coach, who nevertheless insists that "no game has ever been decided at half-time" and that his men have to remain "sharp and focused".
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Walter defiant

The odds are stacked against the three-time Bundesliga champions, but coach Tim Walter (pictured) insists that they aren't giving up – and "want to make the impossible possible."
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Suhonen suspended

Tim Walter's side were on the back foot from the very first minute – when Konstantinos Mavropanos headed VfB in front – and finished the game with 10 men after substitute Anssi Suhonen (pictured) was sent off. The Finland midfielder therefore misses out with suspension, while Laszlo Benes is among the injury absentees after hobbling off in the dramatic final-day win over Sandhausen, which saw HSV pipped to automatic promotion by Heidenheim.
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Hamburg's home advantage

Or will the Volksparkstadion see Bundesliga football return for the first time in six years? It will be up to the HSV fans to play their part as the 12th man as their team look to overturn a three-goal deficit on the field. Their average attendance in Bundesliga 2 this season was 53,500 - only four teams in the Bundesliga can boast a higher average.
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Back here next season?

The Mercedes-Benz Arena faithful paid tribute to their team at midway point of this 180-minute epic, but will Bundesliga football be coming back to Swabia next season?
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Advantage Stuttgart

After the first leg of this promotion/relegation play-off, Stuttgart hold quite an advantage thanks to a 3-0 win on home soil.

The final act!

Welcome along to what is the final act in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season, with the 18th member of Germany's top flight for 2023/24 to be determined!