2. Bundesliga: Five-star Hertha maintain perfect record with sensational comeback in Braunschweig

Hertha BSC recorded a comeback victory away at Eintracht Braunschweig in an eight-goal thriller in 2. Bundesliga. Stefan Leitl’s side have won each of their first four games of the new season, despite low expectations at the start since they haven’t replaced the players departing this summer.

This game did look like a reflection of that reality for the large part of the first-half. Yann Sturm put the hosts ahead inside the first ten minutes before Niklas Kolbe’s howler helped Kevin Ehlers to double their advantage.

Braunschweig also had two clear-cut opportunities through Sturm and Aaron Opoku, but they found themselves level at the break after conceding two late goals. Icelandic striker Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson scored on his full debut before Josip Brekalo’s memorable strike in the final kick of the first-half.

The Croat attacker capitalized on Braunschweig’s poor corner-kick that led to a counter-attacking move as he beat former FC Bayern goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann with a brilliant curler. Hertha also started the second-half brightly as Ehlers canceled his goal by beating his own shot-stopper from Thorsteinsson’s delivery.

Kolbe also had his moments in both boxes as the center-back won a penalty-kick twenty minutes before time, which was calmly converted by Brekalo. Hertha’s new captain started the season in top form as he hopes to return to Bundesliga with the capital city club.

Substitute Oluwaseun Adewumi added a fifth for the visitors to seal the three points. The Burnley loanee scored in back-to-back 2. Bundesliga games as a substitute. Jan Urbich pulled one back for Braunschweig immediately, but it was too late for the hosts as they suffered a third consecutive home defeat.

Urbich is now joint top-scorer in the league as he had a brace when Braunschweig started the season with a 6-1 victory in Magdeburg. Leitl, who will celebrate his 49th birthday tomorrow, will next prepare his invincible side for a home game against Magdeburg. Eintracht Braunschweig will face Osnabrück away from home. The newly-promoted side recorded their first win of the season on Friday with a 1-0 victory over VfL Bochum.