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Frankfurt celebrate the goal to make it 4-0
Photo: Arne Dedert / dpa
Eintracht Frankfurt took a big step towards staying in the Conference League with a 6-0 (4-0) goal festival against Finnish record champions HJK Helsinki. In front of 55,500 spectators on Thursday, the Bundesliga club made things clear in the first half. Dina Ebimbe (12th minute/penalty), Robin Koch (27th), Omar Marmoush (31st) and Tuta (45th+3) scored for the play-happy Hessians before the break. After the restart, the scoring continued: Ellyes Skhiri (55') and again Ebimbe (89') increased the lead to 6-0.
Eintracht are second in Group G with six points behind PAOK Thessaloniki (nine).
The 33-time Finnish champions, who were only partially competitive, had little to offer and were lucky not to go into half-time conceding more than four goals. At 1-0, the Hessians benefited from a video decision in which a handball by Jukka Raitala was recognized. Frenchman Ebimbe converted the penalty safely.
Marmoush scores again
Captain and defensive boss Koch increased the lead to 2-0 after a corner by Fares Chaibi. It wasn't quite so easy for Marmoush, who twice shot at an opponent in the penalty area and only scored with the outside of his foot to make it 3-0 at the third attempt. It was the sixth goal across all competitions for the successor to Randal Kolo Muani, who moved to Paris. Shortly before the break, Tuta headed it 4-0 and Chaibi was again the assister.
"We can be satisfied with a first half with four goals and the dominance," said Eintracht sporting director Timmo Hardung on RTL+. Jens Grahl, who stood in goal for the suspended national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, had hardly anything to do against the harmless Finns - not even in the second half.
Most of the time, everything took place in front of the opponent's goal. In the 50th minute, Ansgar Knauff hit the crossbar. Five minutes later, Ellyes Skhiri made it 5-0. After that, Frankfurt took it a little easier before Ebimbe even added the sixth goal shortly before the end.
kjo/dpa