Thanks to Fraser Hornby, SV Darmstadt 98 gets a point at Hertha BSC after being 2-0 down and moves closer to the leaders of the 2nd Bundesliga.
The game in the ice-cold Olympic Stadium ended on Sunday (February 1, 2026) with 2:2 (2:1). Hertha’s gap to the promotion ranks increases to seven points after the fifth draw in a row.
The Lilies slip to third place in the table, but are only one point less than leaders Schalke 04.
Fabian Reese (2nd) and Julian Eitschberger (15th) gave the Berliners an early 2-0 lead, Fraser Hornby (39th, 62nd) equalized for the significantly better guests after the break. Hertha was ultimately happy with the draw because Dawid Kownacki was shown a red card for foul play in the 70th minute.
Darmstadt sleepy at the beginning
In contrast to other regions in Germany, the thermometer in Berlin continues to show consistently below zero degrees Celsius. According to the relevant apps, the perceived temperature was even in the double-digit minus range early on Sunday afternoon.
Darmstadt gave the impression that they wanted to warm up easily first. Hertha took the lead in the second minute without much resistance.
Reese scores with a direct shot in the second minute
Marten Winkler crossed from the left, Reese took it straight away and scored his fifth goal of the season to give Berlin its first lead this year.
It was quickly expanded as Eitschberger intercepted the ball, played around a defender and shot in from a half-right position to make it 2-0 after a quarter of an hour.
Klemens brings Lilien back into the game
Hertha had the opportunity to score another goal through Reese, but then brought the Lilies back into the game. Pascal Klemens stepped on Luca Marseiler’s foot in the penalty area and hit the ground with his fist in self-accusation.
Hornby safely converted the penalty (39th).
Red card for Kownacki
The Scot then equalized when he pushed a cross pass from Sergio López over the line (62′).
The Hessians, who had improved greatly in the second half, were closer to victory, especially since Kownacki was sent off for a foul on Marseiler.
Isac Lidberg, for example, failed to hit the crossbar with a header when coach Florian Kohfeldt was already about to celebrate (77.)
Protests in the east curve
At Hertha’s previous home game against FC Schalke 04 there were clashes between fans and police. The Berlin Fan Aid sharply criticized the operation, and after crisis talks the police announced a more defensive approach for the game against Darmstadt.
Hertha’s fans protest against police violence.
It remained quiet at the entrance on Sunday, the fans protested with banners. “Ostkurve Hertha BSC against police violence” could be read on one.
Hertha in Elversberg, Darmstadt against Kaiserslautern
Hertha will be guests at SV Elversberg on Saturday lunchtime (1 p.m.). Darmstadt welcomes 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday evening (8.30 p.m.).
