In the thrilling concluding moments of Rheinderby, Luck's vital intervention secures Fortuna's victory.
Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1. FC Köln Battle in the Rhine Derby, Ending in a Draw
The highly anticipated Rhine derby between Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1. FC Köln was a tense affair, yet calm before and during the game. Despite 1. FC Köln having the upper hand, Fortuna Düsseldorf managed to salvage a point with a lucky goal in the final seconds of the match. Jona Niemiec, who came off the bench, scored the equalizer with a fortuitous cross in stoppage time (90.+5).
Eric Martel (21.) and Linton Maina (61.) capitalized on 1. FC Köln's numerous opportunities. Emmanuel Iyoha (25.) briefly equalized for Fortuna Düsseldorf before Niemiec's lucky break. This result kept Fortuna Düsseldorf at the top of the table at least until Sunday, with an unbeaten run in their 20th consecutive second division game. 1. FC Köln is now six points behind Düsseldorf.
- FC Köln took control from the start and dominated Düsseldorf at times. Luca Waldschmidt had a chance against the alert goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier (10.), and a Maina free kick narrowly missed the target (17.). Martel's header ultimately rewarded 1. FC Köln with a deserved lead, being the first open-play goal conceded by Fortuna Düsseldorf this season.
After some lapses by 1. FC Köln, Fortuna Düsseldorf took advantage and equalized through Iyoha. Despite 1. FC Köln retaining control, they failed to create clear chances until half-time.
Following the break, the pattern continued: 1. FC Köln controlled possession while Fortuna Düsseldorf defended. Waldschmidt missed the target (47.), and Maina scored his third goal of the season after a strong counterattack (61.). Kastenmeier was tested repeatedly.
In the final minutes, Fortuna Düsseldorf had a chance to equalize. Giovanni Haag hit the underside of the bar, but Niemiec salvaged a point for the hosts in the final seconds.
1. FC Nuremberg Suffer Defeat Against Hertha BSC
Coach Miroslav Klose and 1. FC Nuremberg experienced a setback in their match against Hertha BSC and their previous coach Cristian Fiel. Despite claiming victory against promoted SSV Ulm the previous week, 1. FC Nuremberg suffered their third defeat in the sixth game of the season, losing 0:2 (0:1) to Hertha BSC.
Hertha BSC's Derry Scherhant (37.) and Palko Dardai (90.) sealed the win for the injury-plagued Berliners, as they avenged their 0:2 defeat against Fortuna Düsseldorf with the away victory. Fiel, who served as a key figure at Nuremberg from 2021 to 2024, is now five points clear of Nuremberg.
The match started with Nuremberg almost scoring within the first minute, but Hertha BSC soon gained the upper hand. Goalkeeper Jan Reichert parried a Scherhant shot, but Deyovaisio Zeefuik (36.) went over the rebound. Later, Reichert made a crucial save against Michael Cuisance (42.).
After halftime, Hertha BSC controlled the proceedings with Nuremberg failing to create many offensive opportunities. Nuremberg's defensive leader Robin Knoche (55.) cleared the ball in a dangerous situation against substitute Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, before Cuisance (76.) missed the crossbar from a distance, and Florian Pick (78.) missed from close range, squandering another opportunity to equalize.
Eintracht Braunschweig Secure First Win of the Season Against SpVgg Greuther Fürth
Eintracht Braunschweig recorded their first win of the season in the absence of suspended coach Daniel Scherning. The win came against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, who suffered their first league defeat, leaving the relegation zone for at least one more day.
Rayan Philippe (33.) and (63.) scored twice for the Lower Saxony team, now coached by assistant Marc Pfitzner, while previous manager Scherning received a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in the previous game against SV Darmstadt (1:1).
From the outset, Braunschweig impressed against the favored guests, who played in front of a crowd of 19,018 spectators. New signing Sebastian Polter was prominent alongside Philippe, creating numerous chances but failing to convert two opportunities to make it 2:0 before half-time. Following half-time, Fürth coach Alexander Zorniger made a triple substitution, but Eintracht Braunschweig continued to press. Philippe's second goal from a corner was initially ruled out for offside, but after a lengthy VAR review, it was awarded.
The following is added to the match report of Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1. FC Köln's draw: The teams shared 36 shots on goal, with Fortuna Düsseldorf having 12 of those in the second half.
After the exciting draw, it was announced: The DFL has added a midweek fixture between Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1. FC Köln, to be played on November 15th.
