HSV beaten 2-1 late on by Everton

HSV made two changes at the interval, with Daka and Philippe replacing Poulsen and Stange. Philippe was involved immediately, hitting a powerful shot straight at Travers within seconds of the restart. Daka then went within inches of an equaliser in the 49th minute, turning inside the box before shooting just past the right post. Moments later, he found himself in a similar position and this time made no mistake, firing home to level the scores at 1-1. Everton responded with two chances in quick succession. Branthwaite shot over from close range (52’), before Omari inadvertently diverted a cross against his own crossbar a minute later.

The game remained finely balanced, with HSV initially making the brighter start to the second half. Grønbæk’s free-kick from a promising position struck the wall in the 67th minute, before Everton began to threaten again. Barry narrowly failed to connect with a cross from the left (72’) and was then denied by Heuer Fernandes after turning inside the box three minutes later. Torunarigha was also alert to snuff out the danger when substitute Alcaraz looked to break through. Polzin made another four changes shortly after the game entered its final 15 minutes. Mexican waves and loud chants swept around the Volksparkstadion as the home crowd continued to urge HSV forward. Pherai and Daka almost rewarded them with a superb move in the 86th minute, but Daka’s shot was blocked behind for a corner.

A draw looked the most likely outcome until HSV gave the ball away while trying to build from the back. Everton substitute Graham was able to cross from the left, and Torunarigha could only divert the ball into his own net in the fourth minute of added time.

HSV now head to the adidas Home Ground on Monday (3rd August) for a five-day training camp. Their next friendly takes place at the Volksparkstadion at 15:00 CEST on Saturday (8th August), when they face LOSC.