2. Bundesliga Review: Maglica’s late winner against Düsseldorf sends Darmstadt top

SV Darmstadt extended their unbeaten streak to 13 games with a late win over Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Fortuna Düsseldorf had good moments at the start of the game, but it was the hosts who took the lead from their first chance in the seventh minute. The in-form striker Fraser Hornby marked his return from illness with his ninth goal of the 2. Bundesliga season.

Five minutes later, Markus Anfang’s team also got on the scoresheet with Jordy de Wijs converting from Florent Muslija’s corner-kick. Shortly after, both Düsseldorf players got injured with the goalscorer unable to continue the game forcing an early substitution.

Including the coach Florian Kohfeldt, Darmstadt had four of their members cautioned by the referee in an underwhelming half for the promotion hopefuls. The visitors had a couple of chances to take the lead in injury-time, but they were unable to beat Marcel Schuhen.

The second-half was far more lively for both teams as Muslija and Hornby played instrumental roles once again. The relegation-threatened side continued to fashion the better chances with Anouar El Azzouzi, Shinta Appelkamp, and Cedric Itten coming very close to putting them in front for the first time in the game.

However, Darmstadt stole the points in the 89th minute with Matej Maglica’s third goal in two matches. The center-back beats his marker El Azzouzi to head home Marco Richter’s corner-kick. Including his two deliveries today, the 28-year-old reached double figures for assists this season.

Darmstadt climbed to the top spot ahead of Schalke’s home game against Magdeburg. Kohfeldt’s troops are unbeaten in their last 13 matches. The result of that game would also have an effect on Düsseldorf since the 16th-placed Magdeburg are only two points behind Anfang’s team.