Hertha overcome their bogey team to progress in the Pokal
| A place in the Round of 16 | Maja Hitij/Getty Images |
The end-to-end start to the game saw both teams creating clear-cut chances inside the first 20 minutes. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute after an excellent link-up play between Diego Demme and Michaël Cuisance.
The former Bayern midfielder was also on target in Hertha’s 2-1 win over Heidenheim in last season’s second round cup tie. Five minutes later, Elversberg had a couple of great opportunities to level the score.
Demme nearly scored an own-goal before his handball inside the box. Luckily for the hosts, there is no VAR in use at this stage of the competition. Around the hour mark, Hertha extended their lead through a set-piece play.
Cuisance contributed with a corner-kick delivery this time around as Sebastian Grønning made it count following Márton Dárdai‘s header. Hertha were the far better side after the break, and they ended the night with a third goal.
Elversberg’s captain, Luke Pinckert, saw a straight red card for his foul on substitute Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson in the 94th minute. Thorsteinsson converted the penalty-kick himself for his first goal for Hertha BSC.
Hertha’s dream of playing a Pokal final at their home lives on, while Elversberg lost to their 2. Bundesliga peers after four convincing victories on the trot.
