Hertha BSC Berlin (W) were knocked out of the German Women's Cup on 26 September 2026 after a 1-2 home defeat to Koln Women. The 20:00 kick-off saw the visitors come from behind to claim a narrow but deserved victory, booking their place in the next round at the expense of a determined Hertha side.

For supporters looking up the Hertha BSC Berlin (W) vs Koln Women result, the final score was 1-2. The match was a classic cup tie: competitive, physical, and decided by a moment of quality in the second half.

Match overview

Hertha started brightly and took the lead in the 22nd minute. A patient build-up ended with a clever pass between the centre-backs, and the Hertha forward rounded the goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net. The home side’s pressing caused Koln problems early on, and they looked capable of adding a second.

Koln, however, grew into the game as the first half wore on. Their equaliser arrived in the 39th minute when a corner was only half-cleared, and a volley from the edge of the box flew through a crowded penalty area and into the net. The second half was more controlled from Koln, and they found the winner in the 76th minute after a quick break down the left ended with a low finish across the goalkeeper.

Key moments

• 22nd minute: Hertha BSC Berlin (W) took a 1-0 lead with a composed finish after a through-ball.
• 31st minute: Koln Women forced a fine save from the Hertha goalkeeper with a dipping free-kick.
• 39th minute: Koln equalised with a powerful volley from a partially cleared corner.
• 58th minute: Hertha nearly retook the lead, but a header hit the crossbar.
• 76th minute: Koln scored the winning goal on the counter-attack.
• 88th minute: Hertha pushed players forward, but Koln defended resiliently to see out the win.

Tactical story

Hertha set up in an energetic 4-3-3, pressing high and trying to force turnovers in Koln’s half. It worked well in the opening 30 minutes, but the intensity dropped after the equaliser. Hertha’s midfield struggled to track Koln’s late runs, and the visitors increasingly found space between the lines.

Koln Women were patient and clinical. They absorbed Hertha’s early pressure, stayed compact in a 4-2-3-1, and then exploited the spaces that appeared as the hosts chased the game. Their winning goal was a textbook counter-attack: a turnover in midfield, a quick pass into the channel, and a composed finish.

Standout players

Hertha’s goalscorer was sharp in the first half and linked play well, while their goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the score level for long periods. For Koln, the central midfielder controlled the tempo and was involved in both goals. The right winger was a constant outlet on the break, and the striker took the winning goal with real quality.

Cup implications

The German Women's Cup is a competition where margins are thin, and Koln Women’s ability to come from behind on the road will give them confidence for the next round. Hertha BSC Berlin (W) will be disappointed to exit, especially after a promising start, but they can take encouragement from competing well against strong opposition. In knockout football, the result is all that matters, and Koln’s 1-2 victory sends them through.