Nkunku returns to Leipzig and scores in rout of Hamburg

RB Leipzig hit the ground running with a 5-0 win over Hamburger SV, and Christopher Nkunku was the standout with the Frenchman scoring his first goal of the season. According to L’Équipe, the striker got back on the scoresheet in Bundesliga matchday three after returning to the club this summer, three years on from his earlier spell.

A return that delivers

Nkunku had previously opened the scoring in the German Cup final on June 3, 2023, where Leipzig beat Frankfurt 2-0. But his road since then has included a mixed stint at Chelsea and, as L’Équipe notes, a move in 2025 to AC Milan where he didn’t fully settle (only 8 goals in 35 matches). The article adds that his new Leipzig chapter came via a loan deal with an option to buy worth €30 million.

On Sunday at the Red Bull Arena, Nkunku came on at 35 minutes for the injured young Assan Ouedraogo (20). With the score already 2-0, he made an impact quickly: he netted Leipzig’s fourth goal at 74 minutes. The move started with Maarten Vandevoordt, who played a perfect pass into Antonio Nusa on the left; the Norwegian set up Nkunku with a cut-back for an easy finish.

Gomis adds to the night

Another French player made it even more complete: Tidiam Gomis (20) scored. As L’Équipe reports, he opened the scoring at 17 minutes after a pass from Ezechiel Banzuzi. It was Gomis’ first league goal this campaign, and he had already recorded two assists.

The result lifts Leipzig to 5th in the table. Hamburg, meanwhile, suffered their third loss in as many games, having conceded 12 goals without scoring, leaving them bottom, while Gladbach also remain on zero points.