Women

Vallotto hits last-gasp winner

The She-Wolves earned a late 2-1 victory over a Hoffenheim side that was hot on their heels in the table.

VfL Wolfsburg Women’s improved second-half performance helped them beat league rivals TSG Hoffenheim 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. 

Dramatic finale 

The Green-and-Whites broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute through Lineth Beerensteyn but their lead was swiftly cancelled out by Valesca Ampoorter’s equaliser from the penalty spot (81’). After Hoffenheim had a player sent off late on, VfL made the most of their numerical advantage in stoppage time and struck a winner when Smilla Vallotto scored her first Bundesliga goal with a fantastic long-range drive (90’+1).

Union Berlin up next

The She-Wolves are next in action on Tuesday 4 November away to Union Berlin (kick-off 19:00 CET).

Goals

  • 1-0 Beerensteyn (73’): Yes! A fine pass from Kessya Bussy allows Beerensteyn to use her pace before arriving in the box and finishing clinically. The lead is very much deserved. 
     
  • 1-1 Ampoorter (pen. 81’): Oh no. Hoffenheim are awarded an extremely controversial penalty after Janou Levels is adjudged to have fouled Laura Gloning in the area. Ampoorter shows no such doubt though, and converts the spot-kick.
     
  • 2-1 Vallotto (90’+1): Incredible! Unbelievable! Vallotto scores her first Bundesliga goal to decide the game in stoppage time, firing into the left-hand corner from the edge of the penalty area. Cue wild celebrations!

Reaction

Stephan Lerch: “We didn’t get into the game well at the start. We lost the ball too much and didn’t have a good first half. We were much more aggressive against the ball in the second half and we put them under a lot of pressure. I’m really happy that we won the game. These three points were important.”

Line-ups and stats 

VfL Wolfsburg: Johannes – Bergsvand, Dijkstra, Minge (88‘ Vallotto), Levels – Linder, Kielland (46‘ Beerensteyn), – Huth, Peddemors (77‘ Lattwein), Zicai (61‘ Bussy) – Popp

Subs: Tufekovic (GK), Bjelde, Pujols, Saelen, Papp

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Dick - Janssens, Diehm, Rankin, Kaut - Harsch, Ampoorter, Gloning, Douma - Delacauw, Natter (17‘ Steiner)

Subs: Sinka, Grimm, Schmid (GK), Röder, Bitzer, Vöhringer

Goals: 1-0 Beerensteyn (73‘), 1-1 Ampoorter (81‘, pen), 2-1 Vallotto (90‘+1)

Yellow cards: - / Janssens

Yellow-red card: Kaut (90‘)

Referee: Miriam Schwermer (Rieder)

Attendance: 2,953 at AOK Stadion