Bundesliga 2, Matchday 3: Cologne thrash Braunschweig, Hamburg beaten in Hannover, Paderborn drop first points
Cologne romped to their first win of the 2024/25 Bundesliga 2 season on Matchday 3, after Paderborn dropped points in Fürth and Hannover beat Hamburg...
Matchday 3 results
Cologne 5-0 Eintracht Braunschweig
Goals: 1-0 Hübers 26, 2-0 Ljubicic 34', 3-0 Lemperle 58', 4-0 Ljubicic 61', 5-0 Waldschmidt 88'
After taking a point across their first two games back in Bundesliga 2, Cologne let loose on bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig, cruising to an emphatic 5-0 win. Dejan Ljubicic had already gone close to the opener when Timo Hübers headed in Linton Maina's 26th-minute set-piece. Ljubicic got in on the act before the break, with Maina again the architect for the goal. Tim Lemperle was kept out late in the first half, but was not to be denied after the restart as he smashed in under the crossbar for 3-0. Lemperle then turned provider for Ljubicic to complete his brace, before substitute Luca Waldschmidt drove in from 15 yards to complete the five-star rout.
Hannover 1-0 Hamburg
Goals: 1-0 Ngankam (pen. 49')
Red card: Schonlau 90'+3
Hannover moved top of Bundesliga 2, overnight at least, with a workmanlike derby win over Hamburg. Eintracht Frankfurt loanee Jessic Ngankam had been the best player on the pitch when he stepped up to convert the decisive penalty after being brought down in the box by Sebastian Schonlau with 49 minutes gone. Adam Karabec flunked HSV's best chance of an equaliser in an otherwise tepid attacking display by the visitors. Schonlau collected his second booking in added time as Steffen Baumgart's side slipped to their first loss of the season.
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Karlsruhe 3-2 Elversberg
Goals: 1-0 Günther 18’, 1-1 Schnellbacher 30’, 2-1 Schleusener 48’, 2-2 Asllani 60’, 3-2 Hunziker 75’
Karlsruhe extended their unbeaten start to the season to three matches, thanks to an entertaining 3-2 triumph against winless Elversberg. Lasse Günther set the tone with a sensational volleyed opener, but Luca Schnellbacher brought Elversberg deservedly level with 30 minutes on the clock. Fabian Schleusener restored the home team's advantage soon after the restart, only for Fisnik Asllani to equalise after a host of missed Elversberg chances. Andrin Hunziker then struck within 60 seconds of joining the fray as a substitute to secure Karlsruhe all three points.
Hertha Berlin 2-0 Jahn Regensburg
Goal: 1-0 Gebhardt (o.g. 90‘), 2-0 Niederlechner (90‘+6)
Red card: Ouro-Tagba (76‘)
Hertha got their first win of the season thanks to a late rally against 10-man Regensburg. Both sides started enjoyed spells of dominance at the Olympiastadion but were unable to find a breakthrough in the first half. Luca Schuler fired over a bouncing ball for the hosts, while the lively Dominik Kother was a frequent threat at the other end for Jahn. The game turned in the second half when substitute Mansour Ouro-Tagba was sent off for a high challenge with 15 minutes to go. Hertha took advantage, with Ibrahim Maza forcing an own goal from the foot of goalkeeper Felix Gebhardt before Florian Niederlechner made doubly sure of the result deep into added time.
Greuther Fürth 1-1 Paderborn
Goals: 1-0 Itter 49', 1-1 Grimaldi 81'
Both sides maintained their respective unbeaten starts to the season thanks to this entertaining draw at the Sportpark Ronhof. The hosts took the lead after some good work from Branimir Hrgota led to Julian Green having a shot saved. Luca Itter was there on the follow up to put the hosts ahead. Lukas Kwasniok's promotion hopefuls - who previously won their opening two games in the division - were not to be denied, however, and they found their equaliser when goalkeeper Nahuel Noll gifted Adriano Grimaldi with a chance the forward accepted with glee.
Preußen Münster 0-1 Kaiserslautern
Goals: 0-1 Ache 86'
Ragnar Ache scored a late winner to keep Kaiserslautern unbeaten this term and leave promoted Münster in search of a first win in the second tier this season. Both sides had chances in a game played out in testing temperatures, but it was ultimately last season's DFB Cup finalists who bagged the all-important goal when Ache rose highest to head home from substitute Philipp Klement's header.
Magdeburg 2-2 Schalke
Goals: 0-1 Sylla 9', 1-1 Mathisen 40', 2-1 Kaars 45+2', 2-2 Karaman 76'
Magdeburg continued their unbeaten start to the season with an enthralling draw against Schalke. Schalke took the lead as Moussa Sylla swept in his third goal of the season, only for Magdeburg to turn the game around before half-time. After the break, Magdeburg were on top and were close to a third goal, but Schalke struck back and neither side can complain too much with a share of the spoils - with the visitors relieved to see a late penalty award to Magdeburg overturned after a VAR check.
Darmstadt 1-1 Nuremberg
Goals: 1-0 Lidberg 23', 1-1 Ševčík 62'
Darmstadt claimed their first point of the season but will have hoped for more after dominating following an opening goal from debutant Isac Lidberg. Nuremberg levelled with a stunning Michal Ševčík goal in the second period and few major chances followed as both teams had to contend themselves with a point.
Ulm 1-2 Fortuna Düsseldorf
Goals: 1-0 Higl 41', 1-1 Pejčinović 81', 1-2 Schmidt 82'
Ulm were on course to register their first points of the campaign only for a stunning late comeback from Fortuna to maintain their unbeaten start. Felix Higl rewarded a strong first-half showing from the hosts by giving them the lead from the penalty spot before two substitutes struck late for the visitors. 19-year-old Dženan Pejčinović turned the ball in from the rebound after seeing a penalty saved, and Danny Schmidt tapped in from close range a minute later to seal the win.
Watch: The top 5 goals from Matchday 3
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