Hertha BSC beat FSV Mainz 05 2-0 on Sunday to consolidate third place in the Bundesliga ahead of the winter break and improve their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Vedad Ibisevic set up both goals and had one denied in a close offside call. He wasted a good late chance as he tried to score with his heel.
In Sunday’s late match, Borussia Moenchengladbach rallied with 10 men to overcome SV Darmstadt 98 3-2 as the Bundesliga closed for the month-long winter break.
Photo: EPA
Vladimir Darida drove home from the edge of the penalty area after a pass from Ibisevic in the 34th minute. Salomon Kalou secured the win in the 54th, also after a pass from Ibisevic.
With 32 points, Hertha have played their second-best half of a season and have three more points more than Moenchengladbach. Hertha were fighting against relegation last season.
Mainz lost after seven matches without a defeat.
In Moenchengladbach, the hosts fell behind to a goal by Marcel Heller and then lost captain Granit Xhaka to a red card for retaliating in the 39th minute.
Lars Stindl and Harvard Nordtveit scored either side of the break to turn the match around, before Sandro Wagner headed in the equalizer for Darmstadt.
However, Oscar Wendt used a good through-ball to score the winning goal in the 87th minute.
Moenchengladbach snapped a three-match losing streak in all competitions and pushed past Bayer 04 Leverkusen into fourth place. Promoted Darmstadt dropped to 13th.
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