Having conceded at least two goals in all seven of their games in 2026, Frankfurt knew a positive start was needed at a raucous Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.
The contest was temporarily suspended early on due to pyro from the home support, who were celebrating the club's 60th anniversary, but that did little to deter the visitors, who dominated possession and threatened a breakthrough when Arnaud Kalimuendo flashed a powerful cross-shot across the six-yard box.
Determined to end a run of eight straight matches without scoring a first-half goal, Union upped the ante as the first half progressed, with Aljoscha Kemlein seeing a long-range effort parried over the bar by Kaua Santos.
That was as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock in a cagey opening period, though, as both defences held firm going into the break.
Similar to the first half, Frankfurt dominated the ball after the restart, and they should’ve taken the lead when Oscar Hojlund skewed wide from eight yards after a superb lay-off by Kalimuendo.
Riera’s men continued to probe in the final third, but it was the hosts who came within inches of a breakthrough against the run of play as Derrick Kohn fired a fierce angled strike against the near post.
Grateful for that reprieve, Die Adler finally made their pressure count in the 84th minute when Nathaniel Brown latched onto a loose ball in the box and thundered a stunning left-footed strike into the corner beyond Frederik Ronnow.
Frankfurt’s joy was short-lived, however, with Hojlund bundling into the back of Rani Khedira in the box, picking up a second yellow card in the process.
Leopold Querfeld assumed the responsibility from the spot and converted a tame effort through the body of Santos to draw the hosts level.
Armed with the numerical advantage, Union went in pursuit of a late winner, but substitute Andrej Ilic could only fire wide from close range, as Die Eisernen’s winless start to 2026 extended to six matches (D4, L2).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Leopold Querfeld (Union Berlin)
