Estonia goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein came within seconds of keeping a clean sheet as Werder Bremen bounced back from their opening-day defeat with a 3-1 home victory over RB Leipzig in Bundesliga Matchday 2.
The 24-year-old had endured a difficult start to the season last weekend, conceding four times in Bremen’s 1-4 defeat to Freiburg. His second league outing brought another demanding test, but Hein responded with a much stronger performance.
Werder took the lead as early as the fourth minute when Eren Dinkci was found inside the penalty area and finished confidently to make it 1-0.
There was a major scare for Hein midway through the first half. After a weak backpass, Leipzig forward Nkunku reached the ball and went down following a challenge from the Estonian goalkeeper. The referee initially awarded a penalty, but after a VAR review the decision was overturned, with Hein judged to have played the ball first.
A few minutes later, Hein was called into action again. A cross from the right was redirected towards goal by Nkunku, but Hein had positioned himself well and reacted quickly to make the save.
Leipzig controlled much of the first half and continued to apply pressure after the break, but it was Bremen who struck again. In the 68th minute, Niclas Fullkrug headed home after a corner kick to double the hosts’ advantage.
Werder then effectively sealed the victory in the 80th minute. Marco Grull collected a rebound on the edge of the penalty area and fired in the third goal.
With six minutes of stoppage time added, Hein looked set to record his first clean sheet of the season and the second of his Bundesliga career. However, Leipzig finally found a consolation goal in the fifth minute of added time. After several crosses were dealt with by the Bremen defence, Ridle Baku was eventually left free and headed past Hein to make it 3-1.
The result gave Hein his second Bundesliga victory across this season and last, while also marking his fourth appearance in the German top flight.
Werder Bremen will look to build on the win next Saturday when they travel to face Koln.
