Josh Sargent helped Werder Bremen end Eintracht Frankfurt’s unbeaten start to the year with the winning goal in a 2-1 defeat for the Bundesliga’s in-form team on Friday.
The United States forward scored one goal, had another ruled out, and saw another goal he set up ruled out on a busy night for the video referee.
Sargent’s winner in the 62nd minute was given by VAR despite looking offside in TV replays. Sargent didn’t celebrate after scoring as he seemed to believe he was just offside for Maximilian Eggestein’s pass.
The players of Bremen and Frankfurt clash during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Wohninvest Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Carmen Jaspersendpa via AP)
But the goal was awarded, giving Sargent his third score in the Bundesliga and fifth overall this season. He previously scored at Frankfurt on Oct. 31 and at Hertha Berlin on Jan. 23, but had not at home in any competition since last season’s Bundesliga finale against Cologne in June.
Sargent’s goal meant the end of Frankfurt’s 11-game unbeaten run in the league since Dec. 11 and a 2-1 loss at Wolfsburg. Frankfurt previously won eight from its nine Bundesliga games in 2021 with the only blip a draw at Freiburg.
Top scorer André Silva missed last weekend’s win over Bayern Munich with an injury picked up in training, but it didn’t take long for the Portuguese striker to pick up from where he left off in Bremen with the visitors’ opening goal in the ninth minute.
Frankfurt's defender Makoto Hasebe, right, and Bremen's striker Milot Rashica, left, compete for the ball, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Wohninvest Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Carmen Jaspersendpa via AP)
Filip Kostic, who is so important to Frankfurt’s attacking threat, crossed after a corner for Silva to head in his 19th goal of the season off the far post.
There were complaints from Bremen that the corner should have been given as Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow was last to touch the ball before it went out.
Bremen fought back. Sargent had a goal ruled out for offside in the buildup and it served as encouragement for the confidence-hit home team. Bremen hadn’t scored in two games.
Frankfurt midfielder Filip Kostic, left, and Bremen defender Theodor Gebre Selassie compete for the ball, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Wohninvest Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Carmen Jaspersendpa via AP)
Milot Rashica grazed the top of the crossbar shortly afterward.
Theodor Gebre Selassie equalized just after the break, but the increasingly agitated Bremen coach’s patience was tested again with another offside call. Florian Kohfeldt was relieved when a VAR check confirmed the Bremen captain was on for Rashica’s defense-splitting pass.
VAR again favored Bremen for Sargent’s goal.
Frankfurt soccer players cheer after Andr' Silva, right, scored the first goal of the game against Bremen, during the German Bundesliga soccer match at Wohninvest Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany, Friday Feb. 26, 2021. (Carmen Jaspersendpa via AP)
The American forward set up Romano Schmid to make it 3-1 but again the offside flag was raised. This time VAR ruled in Frankfurt’s favor, though it was another close call.
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