Record-breaking Pizarro to the rescue for Bremen

Hertha Berlin 1-1 Werder Bremen

Goals: 1-0 (Selke 25’) 1-1 (Pizarro 90+6’)

There was little to indicate such drama to come early on, as former Bremen striker Davie Selke continued his excellent form and was a constant menace with his pace and movement. After nearly a quarter of an hour, the Hertha forward nearly tested Bremen keeper Jiri Pavlenka after being played in by Valentino Lazaro, but was let down by a somewhat heavy touch. He would then see a shot careen off the post before finally firing the hosts into the lead after being put through by a lovely pass from Salomon Kalou. The goal left Bremen trailing for the first time in 2019.

The visitors looked determined to redress the balance immediately after the restart, but could not find a way through to the Hertha net. In an effort to remedy that, Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt brought Pizarro off the bench just past the hour mark and the visitors began to turn the screw by bossing possession, albeit without being able to break the home side down. It looked as though Selke’s strike would be enough to give Hertha all three points, but in the sixth minute of stoppage time, the referee awarded Bremen a free-kick on the edge of the area. Pizarro, now 40 years, four months and 13 days old, stepped up, placed his shot low through the wall and wrote his name into the record books as the oldest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.

Watch: Pizarro's record-breaking free-kick

• Pizarro is now the oldest goalscorer in Bundesliga history. He is also the first and only player to score in 21 consecutive seasons in the top flight.
• Bremen remain the only team to score in every match this season. Their last game without a goal was against Leverkusen on Matchday 33 of last season.
• Bremen have not been able to come back to win a match this season. They have, however, now managed to rescue four draws.
• The draw extends Hertha’s winless streak against Bremen to 11 matches.
• In the first 20 match days of this season, Selke scored only one goal. He has now scored two in as many games.
• Kalou’s pass to set up Selke was his second assist of the season.

Watch: Claudio Pizarro reflects on his historic strike

Hertha: Jarstein – Lazaro, Stark, Rekik, Torunarigha (Skjelbred 57’) – Grujic, Lustenberger – Kalou (c) (Klünter 81’), Duda (Darida 90’), Mittelstädt – Selke
Unused subs: Kraft, Köpke, Ibisevic, Plattenhardt
Out: Dilrosun (knock), Kade (ankle), Leckie (match fitness), Luckassen (ankle), Maier (groin), Pekarik (calf)
Coach: Pal Dardai

Bremen: Pavlenka – Gebre Selassie, Langkamp, Moisander, Augustinsson – M. Eggestein, Bargfrede (Sargent 75’), Klaassen – J. Eggestein (Pizarro 61’), Kruse (c), Rashica (Möhwald 75’)
Unused subs: Kapino, Veljkovic, Sahin, Friedl
Out: Bartels (match fitness), Harnik (muscular), Johannsson (ankle), Osako (groin)
Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

Watch: Salomon Kalou hails "great guy and true professional" Pizarro