Hertha BSC has made another false start in the Bundesliga, VfL Wolfsburg can look forward to being at the top of the table for at least one day.

The Berliners lost to Lower Saxony on the second match day with a late hit from substitute Lukas Nmecha (88th minute) with 1: 2 (0: 0).

In front of 18,241 spectators in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, the agile Dodi Lukebakio had put Hertha in the lead after an hour with a penalty, while Ridle Baku equalized the guests after 73 minutes.

Hertha remained without a win for the fifth time in a row in a home game against Wolfsburg and is the only team still without points - and on the upcoming matchday it goes to champions Bayern Munich.

The Wolfsburg receive with the optimal yield of six counters RB Leipzig.

Surprisingly, Matheus Cunha was not in the host's squad at all.

The Olympic champion from Tokyo had been released for talks with other clubs, sports director Fredi Bobic announced before the kick-off on Sky.

Coach Dardai also had to do without his son Marton against Wolfsburg due to ankle problems.

In contrast, defense chief and captain Dedryck Boyata returned after his muscular problems, as did Davie Selke, who had cured his concussion.

Winger Javairo Dilrosun and Dodi Lukebakio were new to the starting line-up, but newcomer Stevan Jovetic initially stayed on the bench.

Wolfsburg coach Mark van Bommel, on the other hand, trusted the eleven starters who had been on the field a week earlier in the 1-0 win against newly promoted VfL Bochum at kick-off.

Wolves counter Lukebakio's penalty

Both teams started the game with a lot of momentum.

After six minutes, Wolfsburg's Maxence Lacroix hit the outside post with a header, but Hertha goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow would have been there.

Six minutes later, Dodi Lukebakio started a solo, but his cross was a sure thing for Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels.

Wolfsburg's top striker Wout Weghorst (17th) caused more difficulties for the Berlin goalkeeper with a nice diving header, which Schwolow just cleared for a corner.

In summer temperatures, the encounter then mostly silted up in the midfield.

After the break, both teams increased the pace.

First, Weghorst (46.) shot the ball over the goal from close range, on the other side Stevan Jovetic, who replaced the ailing Kevin-Prince Boateng shortly before the break, failed to VfL keeper Koen Casteels (49.).

The hosts dared to go into the opposing penalty area more often.

The courage was rewarded with the 1-0 after an hour. The former Herthaner John Anthony Brooks had fouled the lively Lukebakio in the penalty area. Referee Matthias Jöllenbeck decided after video evidence on a penalty, which Lukebakio safely converted. 13 minutes later, Baku did not make Herthas Schwolow look good with a dry shot into the near corner. Hertha looked snappier after the equalizer, but Nmecha spoiled the Berliners' hope for the first point with his late goal.