In the duel between 1. FC Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday 21 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, both teams drew 1-1 (0-0). In a long game with few chances, Eintracht seemed to be on the road to victory late on before Union hit back with a penalty.
Lots of ball possession, little return
The initial phase was dominated by a lengthy interruption: referee Sören Storks had to pause the game early due to thick smoke following choreography and pyrotechnics. After the restart, Frankfurt clearly took control of the game. With high possession of the ball and variable positioning, the guests pushed Union into their own half.
However, compelling opportunities remained in short supply. Union had the best opportunity in the first half when Ansah failed hastily from distance after a Frankfurt defensive error. Although Frankfurt regularly got into promising areas, they rarely put Rønnow in serious trouble in the Union goal.
Frankfurt scores – Union responds promptly
Even after the break, little changed in the course of the game. Eintracht remained superior on the field, but continued to act too harmlessly in the final third. The game only picked up speed in the final phase: Nathaniel Brown gave the guests the lead in the 84th minute. After a cross from Amaimouni-Echghouyab, the ball ended up in a detour to Brown, who shot it into the left corner from the air.
The answer from Köpenick came just a few minutes later. After a cross from Trimmel, Frankfurt’s Höjlund unnecessarily pulled Rani Khedira to the ground – penalty and yellow-red for the Frankfurt midfielder. Leopold Querfeld stepped up and, although not placed, converted with luck as Kaua Santos let the ball slip under his body (87′).
Union is pressing – Frankfurt is holding its ground
In the final minutes, Union tried to turn the game around completely, driven by the equalizer and the majority. Several switching moments caused danger, but Frankfurt defended the attacks with great effort. Joker Ilic had the best opportunity in stoppage time, but his shot from the shot narrowly missed the target.
So in the end there was a division of points that reflected the course of the game: Frankfurt with a lot of control, Union with efficiency in the decisive phase. Both teams are still waiting for their first win of the new year.
Lineup of Union Berlin
