2. Bundesliga: Arminia snatch a point at the death to break Hertha hearts

A largely forgettable opening 65 minutes suddenly burst into life, ending with a harsh red card for Toni Leistner and a 96th-minute equaliser from Arminia’s Stefano Russo to ensure a 1-1 draw at the Olympiastadion.

The first half was largely won by both defences, with most attacks being snuffed out without much fuss and only tame efforts registering of note. Hertha were dealt an early blow when Niklas Kolbe was forced off through injury, with Deyovaisio Zeefuik introduced in his place.

The best chance of the half fell to Hertha just before the half-hour mark. Fabian Reese played a neat one-two on the halfway line before driving into the box and cutting the ball back for Luca Schuler, only for the striker to mis-hit his effort and fail to trouble Jonas Kersken. With little else to report, the first half limped to a goalless stalemate.

Unfortunately, the drab affair continued into the opening stages of the second half, with a depleted Arminia side doing their best to frustrate their hosts and moments to burst forward few and far between for Mitch Kniat’s men. The first lapse in concentration from the visitors’ defence presented Michael Cuisance with a golden opportunity just after the hour, though he sliced his effort high and wide from inside the box.

Out of almost nothing, the breakthrough arrived in the 67th minute. Michal Karbownik released Marten Winkler down the right on a rapid counter-attack, and after drifting inside he slid the ball across the area for Paul Seguin, who finished into the bottom corner via a slight deflection to give Hertha a 1-0 lead, with relief washing around the Olympiastadion.

Bielefeld were handed a lifeline five minutes from time when Toni Leistner was shown a straight red card for what the referee deemed a denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity after a push on Isaiah Young as he broke towards goal. In truth, the decision felt harsh, but it handed the visitors momentum as they pushed for an equaliser.

With seconds remaining of the six minutes of added time and Arminia throwing everyone forward, Hertha appeared to have both hands on the three points. However, a long ball into the box fell kindly for Stefano Russo, who curled a superb finish beyond Tjark Ernst to snatch a point and break Hertha hearts, the match ending 1-1.

It is now three matches without a win for Hertha, who head into the break in poor form and after a particularly painful draw. For Arminia, it is a second consecutive draw, but the manner of this one will give Mitch Kniat’s side a huge lift heading into the winter break.