Grifo salvages 2-2 draw for Freiburg against Frankfurt

Vincenzo Grifo converted a late free-kick as Freiburg salvaged a 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Grifo chose the near right corner on the 87th-minute set piece which surprised Frankfurt goalkeeper Kauã Santos. Freiburg had led from Derry Scherhant in the second minute but a brace from German international Jonathan Burkardt had put Frankfurt 2-1 up.

But the teams eventually shared the points which leave Frankfurt in seventh place, and Freiburg in ninth.

Freiburg are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions while Frankfurt at least rebounded from heavy defeats against Atletico Madrid (5-1) and league leaders Bayern Munich (3-0) before the international break.

"We can be proud about the late goal. We made two unnecessary mistakes. We were pinned back for a while where we should have been more active but we can be happy with the point," Scherhant told streaming portal DAZN.

Burkhardt said: "It hurts to get the late equalizer. We controlled the match for long periods. We didn't allow a lot at the back and it is a shame we played 2-2."

St Pauli host Hoffenheim in the other Sunday game.

Frankfurt had not lost in their previous six Bundesliga duels with Freiburg, including a 3-1 triumph in a duel for a Champions League berth on the final matchday of the past season.

But they were caught off guard with less than two minutes elapsed when Johan Manzambi intercepted a bad pass from defender Robin Koch and fed Scherhant to beat Santos into the bottom right corner.

Frankfurt were soon level when Burkardt helped them win the ball and then had a deflected pass from Can Uzun fall into his path to net for 1-1.

Burkardt had another effort saved by Noah Atubolu but Frankfurt's pressing then paid off again when Uzun released Faris Chaibi after a bad clearance to lay the ball back to Burkardt who did not hit the ball properly which however wrong-footed Atubolu.

Chances were sparse after the break but Freiburg earned their point from Grifo's effort around the wall when Santos and other Frankfurt players had seemingly expected a cross.

"I saw the goalkeeper make a step. I considered a cross but then decided differently. If you are not brave you don't score goals like this one," Grifo said.