Arminia Bielefeld and 1. FC Heidenheim played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the SchücoArena on Sunday afternoon, with the points shared after a game that saw the lead change hands twice.
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Joel Grodowski gave Bielefeld an early advantage before Budu Zivzivadze levelled from the penalty spot. Paul Hennrich then put Heidenheim ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Felix Hagmann restored parity shortly after the restart to ensure both sides took a point.
The hosts made a bright start and were rewarded after just 13 minutes. A corner from Jannik Rochelt was punched away by Heidenheim goalkeeper Thomas Dähne, but the ball struck Zivzivadze and fell kindly for Grodowski. The Bielefeld forward reacted quickest, firing a powerful effort into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.
Heidenheim responded strongly and almost found an immediate equaliser. Marnon Busch sent a low cross into the box, but Zivzivadze slid past the ball before Michael Heule was unable to keep his effort down.
The visitors continued to threaten and came close again through Paul Hennrich, whose curling effort from the edge of the area narrowly missed the far post. Shortly afterwards, Christian Conteh found Zivzivadze inside the penalty area, but Bielefeld goalkeeper Jonas Kersken produced an excellent save to keep out the striker’s effort.
Heidenheim eventually found an equaliser in the 30th minute.
Maximilian Bauer brought down Zivzivadze with a late sliding challenge inside the penalty area, and after a VAR review the referee awarded Heidenheim a spot-kick. Zivzivadze took responsibility himself and calmly sent Kersken the wrong way to make it 1-1.
The visitors then completed the turnaround deep into first-half stoppage time, with Hennrich receiving the ball on the right before cutting in and finding the bottom left corner from just outside the area to send Heidenheim into the break 2-1 ahead.
Bielefeld needed a response after the interval and found one just ten minutes into the second half.
Felix Hagmann restored parity in the 55th minute via a deflected effort from distance, bringing the hosts back to 2-2 and setting up an open final period.
Both sides continued to search for a winner, but neither could find a decisive third goal as it finished 2-2. Heidenheim, who had entered the game with four victories from their opening five league matches, were forced to settle for a point, while Bielefeld will enter the international break in 13th place.