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E-mail Xinhua, February 17, 2025
Eintracht Frankfurt overcame relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel 3-1 to consolidate third place in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Despite its precarious league position, Kiel made a brave start and went close in the third minute when Lewis Holtby's shot was comfortably saved by Kevin Trapp.
Frankfurt, however, soon took control. Hugo Ekitike threatened twice in quick succession in the 13th minute, before Hugo Larsson opened the scoring five minutes later, converting Nathaniel Brown's cross from close range with his knee.
Kiel almost responded immediately through Armin Gigovic, whose shot lacked power and was saved by Trapp. Moments later, Brown hit the post from the edge of the area as Frankfurt continued to pile on the pressure.
The hosts' dominance paid off in the 37th minute when Tuta doubled their advantage, heading home at the back post from a short corner. Ekitike missed a chance to put the game beyond doubt from the penalty spot before half-time, with goalkeeper Thomas Dahne tipping his effort around the post following a handball by Ivan Nekic just before the break.
Both teams made adjustments at the break. Frankfurt, however, remained in control and sealed the win on the hour mark when Can Uzun capitalized on a defensive lapse by David Zec and calmly slotted past Dahne.
Kiel pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through Finn Porath, who scored at the third attempt after being denied twice by Trapp following a through-ball from Fiete Arp.
The visitors' late fightback proved futile as Frankfurt ran out comfortable winners. Ekitike thought he had added a fourth in stoppage time, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The win consolidates Frankfurt's hold on third place, while Kiel remains rooted to the bottom of the table.
"It was a confident performance, but in the end, we made things a little harder than they should have been. We conceded another goal and that annoys me a bit. But other than that, it was a good defensive performance," said Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoller.
Elsewhere, Mainz moved into the top six after seeing off relegation-threatened Heidenheim 2-0, while Hoffenheim picked up vital points with a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen.
