Hamburg fights back at 10-man Frankfurt as Gronbaek's first HSV goal sparks huge survival win

For Frankfurt, it was a damaging night in their push for Europe. 

Albert Riera's side finished the game with 10 men after Rasmus Kristensen was sent off for 2 yellow cards, and the defeat means they have now won only 1 of their last 6 league matches, leaving them vulnerable to being overtaken in the race for continental qualification. 

Hamburg, though, were the ones who left with the bigger story. Merlin Polzin's team arrived under pressure after 3 straight away defeats and a broader run of 6 Bundesliga games without a win, but they showed composure and resilience to turn the match around and move to what now feels like a position of genuine safety. 

The visitors actually started the brighter of the 2 sides. Captain Nicolas Capaldo created the first opening of the game when he looked to pick out a teammate inside the box, only for Michael Zetterer to intervene in time. It was an early sign that Hamburg had not arrived in survival mode alone ; they had come willing to play. 

Frankfurt gradually grew into the contest through Can Uzun. The Turkey international was their liveliest attacking threat in the 1st half and first tested Daniel Heuer Fernandes in the 15th minute, but the Hamburg goalkeeper was equal to it. Uzun then carved out an even better opportunity before the break, only for Heuer Fernandes, still searching for a first clean sheet since February, to deny him again. 

Hamburg responded late in the half. Albert Sambi Lokonga forced Zetterer into a save, while Bakery Jatta struck the crossbar as the visitors threatened to break the deadlock themselves. By half-time, the game had found a rhythm, but not yet a goal. 

That changed quickly after the restart. A sloppy pass in Hamburg's defensive third handed Frankfurt the opening they had been looking for. Jonathan Burkardt pounced and fed Uzun, who finally found the net and gave the home side the lead. 

At that point, Frankfurt seemed to be in control. But the advantage lasted less than 2 minutes. 

Hamburg hit back immediately from the 2nd phase of a corner, with the loose ball falling to Albert Gronbaek, who drilled a low finish into the net for his 1st goal for the club. It was a huge moment, not only because of the timing, but because it completely changed the emotional direction of the match. 

Suddenly, Hamburg believed again. By the 60th minute, the comeback was complete. Gronbaek turned provider this time, slipping a fine pass into Vieira, and the Portuguese midfielder showed excellent control before finishing past Zetterer to put the visitors in front. 

It was a sharp, confident piece of play and one that rewarded Hamburg's willingness to keep pushing rather than retreating. Frankfurt tried to respond. 

Riera made 3 substitutions in an attempt to inject fresh energy into the side, but the home team never really regained control. Their frustration grew, and it eventually boiled over with Kristensen's dismissal, which effectively ended any realistic hope of a late rescue. 

Their final effort came early in stoppage time when Younes Ebnoutalib forced another save from Heuer Fernandes, but that proved to be their last real chance. 

The defeat leaves Frankfurt 7th for now, though Freiburg could still move above them by the end of the round. For Hamburg, the result could be season-defining. 

It ends their 3-match away losing streak, removes any danger of automatic relegation , and means survival could be confirmed outright if St. Pauli fails to win. After weeks of sliding, this was exactly the kind of result they needed. 

And thanks to Gronbaek's breakthrough night, they are now within touching distance of safety.