Hertha fight back to stun Heerenveen

Hertha BSC Berlin twice fought back from a goal down before claiming an added-time winner as they reinvigorated their UEFA Europa League campaign with a 3-2 win at SC Heerenveen

Fightback
Twice Michal Papadopulos put the hosts ahead, but each time Valeri Domovchiyski equalised, making it 2-2 seven minutes after the restart. Hertha looked the most likely to win throughout the second period and so it proved in the 91st minute when Artur Wichniarek struck to put his side second in Group D.

Early blows
A victory for the Bundesliga side had looked far removed four minutes in when Hernán Losada's corner eluded everyone bar Papadopulos who applied a simple side-footed finish. However, if Heerenveen thought that goal would knock the stuffing out of a side languishing at the bottom of the Bundesliga, they soon received notice that the visitors were truly up for the fight. Wichniarek harried for possession and then crossed for the unmarked Domovchiyski to tap in a 21st-minute equaliser – the club's first goal in five games.

Domovchiyski double
Hertha were on top, but it was Heerenveen who delivered the next blow. Oussama Assaidi drove to the byline in the 36th minute and clipped a cross to the near post which Papadopulos rose to head across Jaroslav Drobný. The front pairing for Hertha were at it again soon after half-time, though, Domovchiyski exchanging passes with Wichniarek before turning in past Vandenbussche.

Hertha dominance
Domovchiyski nearly claimed his hat-trick when he poked a shot on to the post as Hertha pressed, and they eventually got their reward. Domovchiyski returned the favour of his strike partner by breaking down the left and teeing up Wichniarek to sweep in, drawing his side level on points with Heerenveen in the section, six adrift of leaders Sporting Clube de Portugal.