VfL Wolfsburg finally snapped a miserable start to their Bundesliga campaign with a narrow 1‑0 victory at home, courtesy of a decisive strike from forward Wolfsburg home win hero Baku. The win came against Union Berlin on Saturday, ending a string of four matches without a point at the Volkswagen Arena.
Match overview
The match kicked off under overcast skies, and both sides looked eager to claim the three points. Union Berlin dominated possession in the first half, probing Wolfsburg’s defence with a series of low crosses. Goalkeeper Koen Casteels produced a handful of sharp saves, notably denying a close‑range effort from Christopher Trimmel just before the break.
Wolfsburg’s chances were few but threatening. A long‑range effort from Maxence Bonnefoy rattled the post in the 32nd minute, and a well‑timed run by João Pedro forced the Berlin backline to scramble. The first half ended 0‑0, leaving fans restless as the home side’s winless streak lingered.
The breakthrough arrived in the 76th minute. After a swift counter‑attack, midfielder Romain Faivre slipped a diagonal ball into the penalty area. Baku, timing his run perfectly, rose above his marker and headed the ball past keeper Andreas Lenz. The stadium erupted, and the striker’s exuberant celebration – a slide on his knees with arms outstretched – captured the relief felt by the entire Wolfsburg faithful.
Union Berlin pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Wolfsburg held firm. A late yellow card was shown to Berlin’s Karim Benyamina for a reckless tackle, and the referee’s whistle signalled the final seconds of a hard‑won victory.
Impact and reactions
Coach Ralph Hasenhüttl praised his team's resilience in the post‑match press conference. “We knew we had to be patient, and Baku’s goal is the reward for the work we’ve put in during training. The players showed character, and that’s what we need for the rest of the season,” he said.
Baku, who joined Wolfsburg in the January transfer window, described the moment as “a dream”. “Scoring my first Bundesliga goal for this club, especially at home, is something I’ll never forget. The support from the fans was amazing and gave me extra motivation,” he added.
The win lifted Wolfsburg to 12th place with 11 points, moving them clear of the relegation battle. Union Berlin, meanwhile, slipped to 7th, missing a chance to close the gap on the European spots.
Beyond the standings, the result sparked optimism among the squad’s younger players. Mid‑fielder Jamal Musiala, who has been pushing for regular minutes, remarked, “When the team wins, especially after a tough run, it gives everyone confidence. It’s a good sign for the matches ahead.”
With the next fixtures featuring a clash against league leaders Borussia Dortmund and a cup tie against a lower‑division side, Wolfsburg will look to build on this momentum. Fans have already begun to chant Baku’s name, hoping his strike marks the start of a turnaround for the season.
Amresh Singh knowledge
September 23, 2025 AT 18:12The performance by Wolfsburg today was a textbook example of defensive discipline meeting clinical efficiency. Baku’s goal was perfectly executed - timing, positioning, and composure all in harmony. It’s rare to see such a cohesive team response after such a prolonged drought. The midfield’s transition play in the second half was particularly impressive, and Casteels’ saves were underappreciated. This is the kind of result that can redefine a season’s trajectory if built upon correctly.
Rahul Madhukumar
September 24, 2025 AT 06:47Lol, they finally won one game and everyone’s acting like they won the Champions League? Baku’s a journeyman striker who scored once in 20 games last season - this is a fluke. Union Berlin had 65% possession and 18 shots. If Wolfsburg didn’t get lucky with that header, they’d still be winless. Stop romanticizing mediocrity.
Khushi Thakur
September 24, 2025 AT 20:05There’s something profoundly poetic about a single goal - a quiet, almost sacred moment - that breaks the silence of collective despair. Baku didn’t just score; he exhaled for an entire city. That slide on his knees? It wasn’t celebration. It was surrender - to hope, to belief, to the fragile, beautiful idea that effort can still be rewarded. We forget, in this hyper-competitive world, that football is still, at its core, a mirror of human resilience. And today, Wolfsburg looked human again.
Varad Tambolkar
September 26, 2025 AT 08:52Vijay Paul
September 27, 2025 AT 09:40This win matters more than the table position. It’s about momentum. It’s about proving to the younger guys - Musiala, the reserves, the academy kids watching - that persistence pays off. One goal. One win. One moment. That’s all it takes to flip the script. Now they’ve got a blueprint. Next game against Dortmund? They won’t be underdogs anymore. They’ll be believers.