BERLIN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Dortmund dropped points in the title race after Marco Richter's brace helped Hertha Berlin secure a 3-2 comeback win at the 17th round in Bundesliga on Saturday.
The "BVB" controlled the possession in the opening stages and produced half chances through Thomas Meunier and Marco Reus, who came close twice.
Hertha created more danger in front of the target as Jurgen Ekkelenkamp tested Dortmund goalkeeper Marwin Hitz form close range in the 5th minute.
The Dutchman remained in the thick of things and squandered another big chance from promising position ten minutes later.
Myziane Maolida thought he had opened the scoring, but his goal was ruled offside by the video assistant referee with 18 minutes played.
Dortmund punished Hertha's wastefulness and marked the opener before the break as Erling Haaland's through ball allowed Julian Brandt to beat Hertha goalie Alexander Schwolow with a chipped ball.
The capital club came out with its guns blazing after the restart and shocked Dortmund with the leveller in the 51st minute. Ishak Belfodil benefitted on a pass into path from Vladimir Darida and shrugged off Axel Witsel before slotting the ball past Hitz.
Things went from bad to worse for passive Dortmund as Hertha gained momentum and turned the tides by courtesy on Richter's brace within 12 minutes.
Marco Rose's men pressed frenetically but Steffen Tigges goal with seven minutes remaining came too late as Hertha protected its 3-2 lead until the final whistle.
"We take the lead but then we started to give away presents. Hertha had the will to turn things around whereas we lacked in vehemence," Dortmund's head coach Rose said.
Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt recorded its third consecutive win as Jesper Lindstrm's sole goal was enough to edge Mainz 1-0.
Borussia Monchengladbach couldn't return to winning ways after four defeats in row. The "Foals" shared the spoils with Hoffenheim as Kevin Akpoguma's injury time equalizer cancelled out Breel Embolo's first-half opener.
Union Berlin ended its winless run and carved out a hard earned 1-0 victory over resilient Bochum as Max Kruse's drop kick from 13 meters ensured all three points on the road.
Bottom club Arminia Bielefeld flabbergasted Leipzig 2-0 on the goals from Janni Serra and Masata Okugawa despite a numerical disadvantage, and last placed Greuther Furth played out a goalless draw with Augsburg. Enditem
