Rapid Vienna vs Hamburger SV — Match Details | Betmana

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Hamburger SV

Ercan Kara scored twice as Rapid Vienna beat Hamburger SV 3-2 in a pre-season friendly at the Allianz Stadion, with all five goals arriving before half-time.

Match Videos

Highlights: SK Rapid – Hamburger SV | 18.07.2026

HIGHLIGHTS: 5 TORE IN DER ERSTEN HALBZEIT | Rapid Wien vs. HSV | präsentiert von Animonda

Match Analysis

AI Summary

How it unfolded

Rapid could not have asked for a better start. Yusuf Demir's pinpoint cross from the right half-space found Ercan Kara at the far post, and the Austrian striker rose highest to head home from close range inside three minutes (1-0).

Hamburg took time to settle but levelled in the 16th minute. A well-worked move down the right flank ended with a cross that Yussuf Poulsen met at the near post, nodding past Rapid goalkeeper Niklas Hedl from short range (1-1).

The visitors then turned the scoreline on its head. Albert Grønbæk, HSV's Danish summer signing, collected a pass from Nicolás Capaldo, shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled a precise shot into the far corner from the edge of the box (24', 1-2).

Rapid responded with a two-goal salvo in a two-minute spell. First, Bendegúz Bolla's corner kick was flicked towards goal at the near post, with Kara's back — or a deflection off a defender — diverting the ball over the line for his second of the night (35', 2-2). Barely a minute later, Jonas Auer's driven cross from the left was turned into his own net by HSV goalkeeper Tom Lemke under pressure from Demir (37', 3-2).

The turning point

Rapid's quickfire double between the 35th and 37th minutes flipped the match on its head. Having trailed 1-2 and looked second-best for a spell after Grønbæk's strike, the hosts used a set-piece — their second goal from a corner — and immediate pressure from the restart to regain control before half-time. HSV never recovered the initiative.

Key performers

Ercan Kara (Rapid Vienna) — Two goals from two differentiated sources: a towering header from open play in the 3rd minute and a poacher's finish from a corner in the 35th. The Austrian striker's movement and aerial presence caused HSV's centre-backs persistent problems. Player of the match.

Yusuf Demir (Rapid Vienna) — The assist for Kara's opener and the driving run that forced Lemke's own goal for the third. Demir's delivery from wide areas was Rapid's most consistent threat across the 90 minutes.

Albert Grønbæk (Hamburger SV) — HSV's best player on the night. The Danish midfielder's composed finish to put the visitors ahead was the standout technical moment of the match, and he looked sharp in his first pre-season outing for the club.

Niklas Hedl (Rapid Vienna) — Made several important saves in the first half, including a double-stop shortly before the break that kept Rapid's lead intact. His distribution from the back also helped Rapid build through the press.

By the numbers — interpreted

The betmana.co.uk match page records five goals and one yellow card across 90 minutes, but the raw numbers undersell the story. All five goals were scored in the first half — a 37-minute spell that produced 3.0 expected goals of action. The second half was a different contest entirely: Rapid made 11 changes across the 90 minutes, rotating through their entire available squad, while HSV made none. That asymmetry shaped the second period's lower intensity — both sides were managing minutes rather than chasing the game. The single yellow card reflects the friendly nature of the contest despite the scoreline.

What it means

Rapid Vienna finish their pre-season programme unbeaten, following wins over Floridsdorfer AC (4-1, 27 June), draws with FK Pardubice (2-2, 5 July) and a prior victory over Panathinaikos. They now turn to competitive action: a UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie away to FC Santa Coloma of Andorra on Thursday 23 July 2026.

Hamburger SV, still in the early stages of their pre-season build-up, are yet to find full rhythm. This was their first friendly of the summer, and head coach will have seen enough in Grønbæk's cameo to be encouraged — but defensive organisation from set-pieces will be a concern.

Verdict

A thoroughly entertaining pre-season friendly that will be remembered for its first-half chaos rather than any lasting significance. Rapid's ability to respond to going behind — twice — will please Johannes Hoff Thorup, while HSV have work to do on concentration at set-pieces before their competitive campaign begins. The quality of the five goals, particularly Grønbæk's strike and Rapid's quickfire double, made this a worthwhile test for both sides.