Holstein Kiel secured a stunning 5-1 victory over Augsburg at Holstein-Stadion on December 21, 2024, marking only their second Bundesliga win ever. The match began with Augsburg taking the lead as Alexis Claude-Maurice scored early on, but Kiel quickly responded to turn the tide.
Just seven minutes after the opening goal, Shuto Machino’s clever cutback from the left flank helped Lasse Rosenboom equalize for Kiel. The home side didn’t stop there; Machino’s deflected cross moments later found Phil Harres, who headed past the Augsburg keeper, putting Kiel up by one. Just three minutes after, Harres struck again with a powerful long-range shot, extending Kiel's lead to 3-1.
Shuto Machino showcased his exceptional skills with a magnificently curled free-kick from 25 meters out, capping off the first half with Kiel leading 4-1. The Japanese international was instrumental throughout the match, finishing with two goals and two assists, taking his season tally to six goals. His performance was praised as he rediscovered his scoring touch.
Despite starting poorly, Kiel displayed remarkable resilience, not allowing themselves to be disheartened by the early goal conceded. They played with teamwork and ferocity, outmaneuvering their opponents during the first half. Finn Porath, local to Lübeck, remarked, "We were in the flow and felt like we could score on every attacking charge. Hats off to the entire team." Harres added, "It was just surreal on the pitch. Suddenly, everything worked out."
The second half saw Kiel conservatively maintain their lead, and even though Harres had a potential hat trick denied by VAR due to a foul, they secured their victory with another goal at the death by Machino, who finished emphatically to end the scoring at 5-1.
This victory came as both a relief and celebration for the Storks, who had faced difficulties earlier in the season, leaving them still fighting for league safety as they remained on the fringes of relegation. They wrapped up the year positioned still at 17th only six points off safety but invigorated by this powerful performance.
With this win, Kiel not only ended their disheartening five-match losing streak but also ignited hopes of climbing off the bottom of the league table as they prepare to tackle the second half of the season with renewed energy and determination. This match not only brought joy to the squad and fans alike but marked a shining moment aimed at revitalizing their season ambitions.
