Elversberg end three-game winless run at Augsburg's expense after seven-goal thriller

Elversberg climbed to sixth place after a frantic 4-3 win over Augsburg. In a game of several chances at either end -- with both teams having over 3 xG -- the hosts prevailed to end their three-game winless run.

Referee Florian Exner started and ended the first-half with penalty-kick calls for handballs. Chrislain Matsima, who came very close to joining Conference League winners Crystal Palace in the summer, was the first to be penalized inside the first couple of minutes.

Germany international Finn Dahmen blocked Lukas Petkov’s effort, but the German-born Bulgarian reacted quick to give the hosts an early lead from the rebound. The 25-year-old striker was scoreless since netting Elversberg’s first-ever Bundesliga goal against Bayer Leverkusen.

Augsburg had nine corner-kicks in the eventful first-half, but their first led to Elversberg’s second goal of the match. Maurice Krattenmacher, who scored their only goal in the previous three games, found the unmarked Lasse Günther in a quick counterattack from the Bundesliga debutants. 

For the second time in front of their fans, Elversberg scored two goals inside the first ten minutes. And both goal scorers spent time in Augsburg as Petkov was at the ranks of the youth setup at the Bavarians since age 8. Elversberg then extended their lead from their only corner-kick of the first-half. Maximilian Rohr headed home his maiden Bundesliga goal from Felix Keidel's delivery.

Augsburg had chances at the other end, but they had to wait until the last action of the half to get into the scoresheet. After a lengthy VAR check, the refeering team spotted Rohr's handball to deny Marius Wolf. Fabian Rieder brought the visitors back into the game with the last kick of the half.

Vincent Wagner had to make double substitutions five minutes before the break with Jan Gyamerah and Noah Darvich seemingly suffering from hamstring injuries at the same time. The former was already a doubt for this game, while Darvich could now join fellow Germany U21 international Francis Onyeka in the treatment room.

Manuel Baum made triple changes after  delayed start of the second-half, but it was the hosts who created the first two dangerous opportunities through Lukasz Poreba and David Mokwa. Nicolas Kristof was the busiest goalkeeper after that as the visitors stepped up their efforts to further reduce the deficit.

Only bottom-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach conceded more chances than the two teams in the first five matchdays, and that was in display once again with an average of an attempt every two minutes.

And penalty-kick decisions played their roles as Augsburg earned another one 15 minutes from time. Die Elv's captain Lukas Pinkert hit Hennes Behrens inside the box in his attempt at clearing the ball. Half-time substitute Michael Gregoritsch scored Augsburg's second goal with a composed spot-kick.

Raid Adam thought he restored Elversberg’s two-goal lead a minute into his debut, but he was in a slightly offside position before scoring past Dahmen. VAR was at it again when Lukas Sirch was saved after an initial decision of a handball.

At the other end, Frederik Schmahl scored on his second Bundesliga appearance. A few seconds later, Mert Kömür also scored his first Bundesliga goal of the season with a brilliant finish. Augsburg had eight injury-time minutes to level the score, but the fourth penalty decision went in the direction of the hosts.

However, last season's 2. Bundesliga top-scorer Noel Futkeu failed to open his Bundesliga account as he rattled the crossbar with a powerful hit. Die Elv held on to the three points after a frantic game that nearly had 50 shots in total.

Elversberg will travel to Leipzig on matchday 7 before their cup tie against 2. Bundesliga side Darmstadt. Augsburg will face 3. Liga newcomers Grossaspach after their home Bundesliga game against Union Berlin.