Bayer Leverkusen ended a three-game winless run in all competitions with a hard-fought 1–0 victory away to Hamburger SV, who slipped to back-to-back defeats for the first time since October.

The visitors, eager to strengthen their push for the top four in the Bundesliga, came agonisingly close to taking the lead after 13 minutes. A delivery from the right by Aleix García found Martin Terrier unmarked inside the box, but the forward’s effort crashed back off the crossbar.

Chances were scarce throughout the first half, though a rare attacking moment arrived shortly after the half-hour mark when Christian Kofane headed goalwards from a cross. Daniel Heuer Fernandes reacted well, moving across his line to gather the ball and keep the hosts level.

None of Hamburg’s previous five league matches had been goalless at half-time, yet that outcome always seemed likely here after a cagey opening period in which both sides struggled to produce attacking quality.

Hamburg, who failed to register a shot on target before the break, could at least take encouragement from their defensive discipline as they managed to keep one of the league’s most potent attacking sides quiet.

Despite a defeat to RB Leipzig in their previous outing, Hamburg had lost just once in seven matches prior to this contest — a run that helped create a useful cushion above the relegation zone. However, as the match entered its final 20 minutes, their resistance was finally broken.

Ibrahim Maza clipped a delicate ball into the penalty area that picked out Kofane, who fired a low shot past Heuer Fernandes at his near post. The goal sparked celebrations among the travelling Leverkusen supporters and proved decisive.

The victory — which also saw Leverkusen record their first away clean sheet of the league campaign — keeps them sixth but moves them to within three points of the top four, leaving Die Werkself firmly in the race for European qualification.

For Hamburg, the defeat leaves them 11th in the table, four points above the relegation zone. Die Rothosen have now managed just one win this season against teams currently in the top half, underlining the challenge they face against the league’s stronger sides.