Grüll's brace not enough as Heidenheim snatch dramatic draw in six-goal thriller
Marco Grüll scored twice for Werder Bremen, but resilient Heidenheim equalised three times, including a 95th-minute leveller from Léo Scienza, in a pulsating 3-3 draw at the Weserstadion.
Goals: 1-0 Grüll 1' (assist: Schmid), 1-1 Schöppner 30', 2-1 Ducksch 56', 2-2 Kerber 61' (assist: Zivzivadze), 3-2 Grüll 79' (assist: Stage), 3-3 Scienza 90'+5
The Weserstadion was treated to a footballing spectacle as Werder Bremen and Heidenheim played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw.
The match promised excitement from the outset, but faced an early setback when Heidenheim's Jonas Föhrenbach suffered an injury during the warm-up, forcing a last-minute change to the visitors' lineup.
Despite this pre-match drama, both teams were determined to deliver an entertaining encounter, and the players did not disappoint.
Flying start and first-half drama
The match exploded into life after just 45 seconds when Marco Grüll put Bremen ahead, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Heidenheim, faced further setbacks as injuries forced Frank Schmidt to make two substitutions within the first 10 minutes, with Luca Kerber replacing Niklas Dorsch. The visitors nonetheless showed remarkable resilience. Their efforts were rewarded in the 30th minute when Jan Schöppner equalised with a well-taken shot from the edge of the box. The first half concluded with both teams having created good chances, setting the stage for an intriguing second period.
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Second-half see-saw
The second half maintained the frenetic pace of the first. Marvin Ducksch restored Bremen's lead in the 56th minute, finishing off a well-worked move. But Heidenheim's fighting spirit shone through once again, with Kerber levelling the scores just five minutes later. As the match entered its final stages, it seemed Bremen had secured victory when Grüll netted his second in the 79th minute, showcasing his clinical finishing once more.
Late drama seals the draw
Just as Bremen thought they had done enough, Heidenheim delivered one final twist in the tale. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, substitute Léo Scienza curled home a superb free-kick to level the scores at 3-3.
The late equaliser was a fitting end to a match that had ebbed and flowed throughout, with both teams contributing to an unforgettable spectacle. Ole Werner's side had dominated possession, but Frank Schmidt's men showed incredible resilience to fight back three times.
Player of the Match: Marco Grüll
While several players shone in this thrilling encounter, Grüll stood out with his match-defining performance. The Austrian forward not only opened the scoring within the first minute but also netted what looked to be the winning goal late in the second half. Grüll's brace demonstrated his clinical finishing and his ability to deliver in crucial moments. His movement and link-up play caused constant problems for the Heidenheim defence, and he was at the heart of Bremen's most dangerous attacks throughout the match.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Werder Bremen 2.0 - Heidenheim 1.95
Fastest player: Paul Wanner (HDH), 33.55 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-3 by Léo Scienza (HDH), 4.61 percent
Most pressed player: Romano Schmid (SVW), 32 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Patrick Mainka (HDH), +5.07
Fantasy Heroes: Marco Grüll (Werder Bremen, 319 Points), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen, 270 Points), Jan Schöppner (Heidenheim, 236 Points)
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