VfL Wolfsburg went into the Niedersachsen derby against Hannover 96 as clear favourites. With their squad quality and financial resources, the Wolves are expected to be among the strongest teams in the 2. Bundesliga this season. But, much like on the opening matchday, it was their opponents who looked like the better team on the pitch.
Hannover dominated the first half and created the more dangerous opportunities. The hosts repeatedly tested Wolfsburg goalkeeper Jakub Zieliński from distance, while the visitors struggled to impose themselves on the game.
Wolfsburg were not completely without chances, though. New signing Muhammed Damar was particularly active and created some promising situations for the visitors, but neither side managed to break the deadlock before the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Hannover continued to look more threatening, while the intensity increased in the challenges as the derby became increasingly physical.
The hosts came closest when substitute Benedikt Pichler found himself with the best chance of the match. However, he could not convert, leaving Hannover to rue another missed opportunity.
And then came the moment that changed everything.
With just five minutes remaining, Wolfsburg were awarded a penalty after Kumbedi was held inside the Hannover penalty area. New signing Fabian Reese stepped up and made no mistake, calmly sending the ball into the bottom-right corner from his perspective.
It was Wolfsburg’s first goal of the season - and it was enough to secure their first victory in the 2026/27 campaign.
Hannover had arguably been the better side for most of the afternoon, but Wolfsburg leave with all three points. The visitors showed the efficiency expected from a team with promotion ambitions, while Hannover will be left wondering how they failed to get anything from a game they largely controlled.
Final result: Hannover 96 0-1 VfL Wolfsburg. Fabian Reese’s late penalty decides the Niedersachsen derby and gives Wolfsburg their first win of the season.