Hamburg marked the long-awaited return of the Nordderby in spectacular fashion, coming from behind to edge Werder Bremen 3–2 at the Volksparkstadion and extend their strong home form to just one defeat in six Bundesliga outings.

Bremen threatened first when the lively Jens Stage dragged an early strike wide, but HSV soon settled and showed why they sit among the league’s best home performers. Fábio Vieira’s deflected effort looped kindly into the gloves of Mio Backhaus, while makeshift striker Rayan Philippe was inches away from turning in Jean-Luc Dompé’s teasing cross.

What began as a relatively measured affair quickly erupted into the kind of fierce battle this rivalry is known for. Albert Sambi Lokonga tested Backhaus from distance as the atmosphere crackled, only for Hamburg to be stung right before half-time. Romano Schmid pinched possession brilliantly and slipped Stage through, and the Dane drilled a ruthless finish into the far corner to silence the stadium on the cusp of the break.

After an extended interval, HSV re-emerged determined to respond, though they first relied on Daniel Heuer Fernandes to tip Senne Lynen’s dipping strike over the bar. Moments later, Backhaus denied Bakery Jatta at the back post — but he could offer no resistance when Sambi Lokonga spun magnificently in a scramble inside the box and fired home with his weaker foot to haul the hosts level.

Hamburg, buoyed by the equaliser, were not content to settle. Vieira whipped in a wicked free-kick delivery, and young defender Luka Vušković produced a jaw-dropping back-heeled volley — a stunning piece of improvisation — to flip the match on its head. Yet Bremen were not done either. Schmid orchestrated a slick move down the right and squared for Justin Njinmah, who snuck a shot inside the near post to make it 2–2 almost immediately.

But the final word belonged to HSV — and to their super-sub. Barely two minutes after stepping onto the pitch, Yussuf Poulsen met Miro Muheim’s cut-back and calmly swept the ball into the corner, sparking wild celebrations and closing out a thrilling win.

Hamburg’s first home derby victory since April 2016 gives their top-half push fresh momentum, while Werder’s wait for an away success stretches on into a third month.