bundesliga

Eintracht Frankfurt's Ekitiké shines but Hoffenheim's Hložek steals the show in thrilling draw

26.01.2025

Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Hugo Ekitiké scoring twice for the visitors before Adam Hložek's dramatic late equaliser.

Hoffenheim 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Ekitiké 26' (penalty), 1-1 Orban 65' (assist: Hložek), 2-1 Ekitiké 71' (assist: Kristensen), 2-2 Hložek 90+5' (assist: Kramarić)

Frankfurt's Ekitiké looked to ensure the Eagles quickly moved on from Omar Marmoush's recent departure from Frankfurt, and the French forward succeeded with a brace that twice had the visitors ahead.

Yet it was Hoffenheim's Hložek who had the final say in this end-to-end affair with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser that rescued what could turn out to be a vital point for Christian Ilzer's side.

Hugo Ekitiké opened the scoring from the spot despite Hoffenheim's strong start to the game. - DANIEL ROLAND

Ekitiké breaks the deadlock

The first half saw Hoffenheim dominate possession, but it was Frankfurt who drew first blood. In the 26th minute, Ekitiké stepped up to take a penalty after being fouled by Kevin Akpoguma. The Frenchman made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past Luca Philipp - deputising for the injured Oliver Baumann - to give the visitors the lead. Despite the hosts' pressure, including a close call when Hložek hit the woodwork, Frankfurt held onto their advantage going into the break.

Despite having taken the lead, the visitors couldn't wrestle control of the game away from Hoffenheim, however. With a total of 24 shots in the game, the hosts hit Frankfurt with wave after wave of attacks, but were consequently vulnerable on the break.

Kevin Akpoguma had his hands full against Ekitiké. - Alex Grimm

Second-half drama unfolds

The second half burst into life as Hoffenheim continued to press for an equaliser. They thought they had found it when Hložek put the ball in the net on the hour mark, only for VAR to rule it out for offside. Undeterred, TSG kept pushing and were rewarded in the 66th minute when substitute Gift Orban found the net. However, their joy was short-lived as Ekitiké struck again just five minutes later, restoring Frankfurt's lead with a clinical finish. The match seemed to be heading towards a narrow away victory, but Hoffenheim had other ideas.

Gift Orban pulled his side level with his first goal for the club. - IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Hložek's heroics seal the draw

As the clock ticked into the fifth minute of stoppage time, Hložek produced a moment of magic. The Czech forward latched onto a clever chip from Andrej Kramarić and volleyed home a spectacular equaliser, sending the PreZero Arena into a frenzy. It was a fitting end to a match that had entertained from the off.

Adam Hložek's passionate celebration after scoring the last-gasp equaliser in the 95th minute - DANIEL ROLAND

Player of the Match: Hugo Ekitiké

Despite the late equaliser denying Frankfurt the victory, Ekitiké's performance was nothing short of outstanding. The young Frenchman was a constant threat, scoring both of his side's goals and proving to be a thorn in Hoffenheim's side throughout the match. His penalty in the first half was coolly taken, while his second goal demonstrated his predatory instincts in the box.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Hoffenheim 2.78 - Frankfurt 2.48
Fastest player: Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt), 35.24 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-2 by Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim), 16.82 percent
Most pressed player: Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), 26 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt), +2.9

Fantasy Heroes: Hugo Ekitiké (Frankfurt, 350 Points), Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim, 283 Points), Rasmus Kristensen (Frankfurt, 245 Points)