BERLIN, Dec 19: Hertha Berlin finally delivered the performance its long-suffering fans were waiting for by coming from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Former Bayern Munich youth player Marco Richter scored twice to give Hertha fans an early Christmas present. Bayern was left nine points clear at the top at the halfway stage, the league’s winter break.
Myziane Maolida had the home fans celebrating early when he guided Peter Pekarik’s cross inside the far post. But the goal was ruled offside through VAR.
Julian Brandt added to Hertha’s frustration with the opener in the 31st, a brilliant chip over Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow and inside the far post.
Hertha forced the initiative and Ishak Belfodil equalized with a fine individual goal in the 51st, outpacing Axel Witsel down the left before prodding the ball under Marwin Hitz in the Dortmund goal. Richter rewarded the home team’s endeavor with another goal in the 57th, curling his shot inside the far post after Maolida laid the ball back.
Richter fired in his second goal from a rebound after Hitz saved Belfodil’s shot in the 69th. Steffen Tigges pulled one back with a header to Raphael Guerreiro’s cross in the 83rd, but Hertha managed to hold on.
Leipziglost at home to 10-man Arminia Bielefeld 2-0.
Japanese midfielder Masaya Okugawa scored the visitors’ second goal in the 75th minute, not long after Fabian Klos was sent off for a bad challenge on Leipzig defender Willi Orban.
Janni Serra put Bielefeld in front from a rebound in the 57th, and Leipzig was unable to make its undoubted attacking prowess count.
Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma scored in injury time to draw Gladbach 1-1 after Breel Embolo’s 35th minute lead.
A brilliant early goal from Max Kruse was enough for Union Berlin to finish 1-0 at Bochum. (AP)
