Cologne, 29 August 2026
1. FC Köln defeated TSG Hoffenheim 3:2 (1:0) on the opening matchday of the new Bundesliga season, marking their first home win against the Kraichgau club in more than eleven years.
The Cologne side fell behind early in the match but fought their way back and turned the game around after the break. In front of their home crowd at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion, the spectators were treated to a high-scoring encounter with a total of five goals.
For Köln, Said El Mala — who also made a strong impression wearing the new number 10 — and new center-forward Thijs Dallinga found the net, with Dallinga scoring twice. Dallinga emerged as the match-winner with his two goals.
Match flow and turning points
Christian Ilzer, coach of TSG Hoffenheim, saw his team suffer defeat despite taking the lead at one stage. Hoffenheim had initially dominated the match and took a deserved lead, but were unable to hold their advantage.
