2nd Bundesliga
Crime in the top game – a later shock for Hertha BSC
Updated 12/19/2025 – 8:42 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In the top duel with Paderborn, a good first half is not enough for Darmstadt. Hertha BSC has to cope with a very late setback.
SV Darmstadt lost an important victory in the promotion race of the 2nd Bundesliga. In the top game against SC Paderborn, coach Florian Kohfeldt’s team was unable to take a 2-0 lead and ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Marko Richter (4th minute) and Killian Corredor (37th) put the Darmstadt team in the lead in a strong first half. But Paderborn came back in the second half through Mika Baur (54th) and Sebastian Klaas (85th). In the promotion race, the two clubs take points from each other. With 33 points each, they are in third and fourth place, with Darmstadt being ahead due to the better goal difference.
In the parallel game, Hertha BSC had to cope with a very late setback. The capital club led 1-0 for a long time against Arminia Bielefeld thanks to a goal from Paul Seguin (67th). After a red card against defender Toni Leistner (85th), the promoted team came back and equalized in the last second through Stefano Russo (90th +6).
The Darmstadt team got off to a lightning start. Paderborn’s Tjark Scheller deflected the goal to make it 1-0 by Marco Richter (4th), his fourth point in three games, past goalkeeper Dennis Seimen. Before the break, Killian Corredor increased the score to 2-0 (37th) against a nervous Paderborn team.
For the hosts, who were now much braver, Mika Baur initially reduced the lead to 1:2 (55th) in the second half. After a handball in the penalty area by Darmstadt’s Kai Klefisch, Sebastian Klaas converted the penalty in the 85th minute to make the final score a deserved 2-2.
Before the four-week winter break, both clubs remain in the promotion race. Paderborn was last first class in 2019/20, Darmstadt in 2023/24.
After an even opening phase, the hosts increasingly took control of the game. Luca Schuler (27th) and captain Fabian Reese (39th) missed good opportunities to take the Hertha lead. On the other hand, Noah Sarenren Bazee (34th) finished too hastily from a good position.