2. Bundesliga: Magdeburg hold firm to stun Hertha

It was a day to celebrate for Petrik Sander’s side, who claimed all three points thanks to goals from Alexander Nollenberger and Rayan Ghrieb in a well-earned 2-0 win.

Hertha produced the first warning just three minutes in, as Michael Cuisance drove to the byline and whipped a dangerous ball across goal, with Fabian Reese steering his effort narrowly wide. From that moment on, Magdeburg took control, dictating play while Hertha struggled to gain any foothold, spending long spells pinned in their own half.

Despite Magdeburg’s dominance, clear chances remained scarce in a largely uneventful opening period, and the sides went into the break still level.

Hertha showed little improvement after the restart, continuing to look blunt in attack and reduced to speculative long-distance efforts against a disciplined Magdeburg defence. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 75th minute, and it came fully deserved for the visitors. Hertha switched off at the back, allowing Baris Atik to stand up a cross for Nollenberger, who darted in front of three defenders to poke the ball past Tjark Ernst for 1-0.

Dariusz Stalmach came close to sealing the result five minutes from time, his strike glancing off the outside of the post. Deep into added time, Hertha nearly snatched an equaliser when Linus Gechter was denied first by Dominik Reimann and then by the post with two point-blank headers, capping an outstanding performance from the Magdeburg goalkeeper.

The contest was finally settled in the 100th minute. Magdeburg won the ball high up the pitch, allowing Ghrieb to drift into the box and fire beyond Ernst, sparking bedlam among the travelling supporters and sealing a vital 2-0 victory.

It marks Magdeburg’s first away league win since August. They remain bottom for now, but the gap to those above has narrowed. For Hertha, it was a disappointing afternoon and their first league defeat in six matches.