SV Darmstadt 98 has temporarily lost touch with the top of the 2. Bundesliga. The Lilies led twice against Arminia Bielefeld but could not secure a win, ending in a 2-2 draw. The match took place before 17,810 spectators.
The match at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor started explosively for Darmstadt. In the 4th minute, Fraser Hornby scored after a header assist from Matej Maglica. After his first shot was saved by Bielefeld's goalkeeper Jonas Kersken, Hornby followed up and netted from close range. The Hessians dominated and could have extended the lead: Killian Corredor was denied by Kersken with a volley, while Maglica hit the crossbar with a header.
The equalizer came unexpectedly in the 28th minute: Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee turned and placed the ball into the short corner past Marcel Schuhen. Five minutes later, in the 33rd minute, Schuhen launched a long ball leading to the second lead. Isac Lidberg dribbled past two defenders and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner – his ninth goal of the season. The Swede remained in the locker room after halftime.
Just before the break, referee Richard Hempel reviewed a possible handball by Fabian Holland, but no penalty was awarded. In the second half, the visitors intensified their attacks. Darmstadt lost Hornby to a thigh injury after an hour. In the 73rd minute, Maximilian Großer equalized with a deflected shot. Both teams had chances afterward, but it ended 2-2.
Darmstadt is now seventh in the table with 19 points, Bielefeld ninth with 14 points.