Borussia Dortmund survived a dramatic second-half collapse to edge Werder Bremen 3-2 at a packed Signal Iduna Park, advancing to the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal courtesy of a stoppage-time free kick from Marcel Sabitzer.
The Austrian midfielder stepped up in the dying moments of added time to curl home the decisive strike, averting extra time after Bremen had mounted a ferocious second-half comeback. According to match reporting from Süddeutsche Zeitung, the narrow victory resolved the first hurdle of a defining week for Dortmund in front of 81,365 spectators in Westfalen.
Early Command Erased in Four Minutes
Dortmund initiated the second-round encounter in commanding fashion. Striker Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring in the sixth minute, capitalising on early pressure, before Carney Chukwuemeka doubled the hosts' lead in the 17th minute. Dortmund carried a comfortable 2-0 advantage into the break, controlling tempo while limiting Bremen's transition threats.
However, Bremen manager Ole Werner turned the match by introducing former Dortmund forward Niclas Füllkrug off the bench. Füllkrug stunned the home crowd by scoring twice in rapid succession, striking in the 65th and 69th minutes to erase Dortmund's cushion and level the score at 2-2.
As the match seemed destined for extra time, Sabitzer earned and converted the match-winning free kick in stoppage time, driving his shot past the Bremen wall to settle the five-goal contest.
Cup Round Recap and Context
Dortmund's progression marks a critical step forward for a squad that has failed to advance beyond the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals in each of the past five seasons. The victory also prevents an early cup exit ahead of Dortmund's marquee Bundesliga clash against league leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Elsewhere across the DFB-Pokal second round, several top-tier sides faced sharp resistance. Borussia Mönchengladbach managed to advance despite playing with a numerical disadvantage following a red card. Meanwhile, SV Elversberg and FSV Mainz 05 were eliminated by second-division opponents, while 1. FC Köln produced a dominant offensive display by putting five goals past Union Berlin.
Dortmund now turns full attention to domestic league duties, where head coach Niko Kovač's squad prepares to visit Bayern Munich in Munich.
| Matchup | Final Score | Decisive Factor / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Borussia Dortmund vs. Werder Bremen | 3–2 | Marcel Sabitzer 90'+ free-kick winner |
| 1. FC Köln vs. Union Berlin | 5-0 | Offensive rout by Köln against Bundesliga competition |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | Advanced | Secured qualification despite red-card disadvantage |
| FSV Mainz 05 / SV Elversberg | Eliminated | Both knocked out by lower-tier 2. Bundesliga clubs |
