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Photo gallery of the Lilies' turbulent 3-3 draw at the start of 2026
SV Darmstadt 98 kicked off the 2026 football year with a spectacular away match. The Lilies drew 3-3 (2-2) against VfL Bochum after an intense 90 minutes. In a game with multiple lead changes, a high tempo, and numerous penalty area incidents, the team from southern Hesse took home a well-deserved point and now have 34 points after 18 matchdays.
Darmstadt got off to a strong start. Fraser Hornby put SV 98 in the lead in the seventh minute after Marco Richter had brilliantly chipped the ball into the Scot's path. Bochum responded immediately, however, and equalized just four minutes later. Despite Darmstadt's dominance in possession, the hosts then took the lead, before Isac Lidberg leveled the score again with a powerful shot shortly before halftime.
After the break, Bochum initially increased the pressure, but Darmstadt regained the lead right in the middle of this period. Following a determined effort from Luca Marseiler, the goal was officially ruled an own goal, making it 3-2. In the closing stages, Bochum pushed for the equalizer and, with a bit of luck, managed to level the score at 3-3. Both teams even had chances to score the winning goal in the final minutes, but in the end, the entertaining match finished in a draw.
All the important scenes, goals and emotions of this varied away game can be seen photo gallery on DA.news
