Looking to improve on the Bundesliga’s worst home record of just three wins in 12 ahead of kick-off, Hoffenheim began the game on the front foot.
Der Blau created the first real opening when neat footwork from Kramarić allowed him the space to loft a teasing ball into the Hertha area.
The Croatian remained in the thick of the action, controlling a raking long ball on his chest before firing a volley down the throat of Oliver Christensen.
Yet moments later, Kramarić was wheeling off in celebration, dispatching a spot-kick following a Tolga Ciğerci handball.
Chances were proving hard to come by for the visitors, and Filip Uremović gave his side a mountain to climb with HT approaching, bundling over Ihlas Bebou to allow Kramarić to double his tally from the spot.
The start of the second period provided plenty of drama. Dodi Lukebakio came inches away from halving the deficit for Hertha, but Oliver Baumann was equal to the header, pushing the effort onto Robert Skov’s arm to ignite furious penalty appeals.
With Hertha players still feeling aggrieved, the contest was all but put to bed by Bebou, who breezed past two defenders before tucking past Christensen for 3-0.
Hoffenheim were showing no signs of let-up with 20 minutes remaining, but a reckless challenge and subsequent red card for substitute Mu’nas Dabbur threatened to derail them.
A defensive mix-up allowed Stevan Jovetić to net a late consolation, yet Hoffenheim held on, having now lost just twice in their last 15 H2Hs.
Meanwhile, four points from a possible 36 during their league travels perfectly illustrates Hertha’s struggles as Die Alte Dame slipped to 16th in the Bundesliga.
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