Sabitzer’s Last-Gasp Free Kick Sends Dortmund Past Bremen in German Cup
German Cup action as Marcel Sabitzer’s late free kick gives Borussia Dortmund a 3-2 win over Werder Bremen.
Marcel Sabitzer scored a stunning late free kick as Borussia Dortmund edged Werder Bremen 3-2 in the second round of the German Cup on Tuesday.
Dortmund appeared in control after Serhou Guirassy and Carney Chukwuemeka put the hosts two goals ahead. However, former Dortmund striker Niclas Füllkrug came off the bench and scored twice in four minutes to bring Bremen level.
With extra time approaching, Sabitzer curled a superb free kick into the top-left corner. His strike secured Dortmund’s place in the next round.
“I’m really happy it went in. My right foot has always been pretty decent. It’s good for the team, but also good for me,” Sabitzer told Sky Germany.
Füllkrug Continues Scoring Run
Füllkrug, who joined Bremen on a season-long loan from West Ham, continued his impressive scoring form. He has now scored in seven consecutive matches for Bremen, taking his tally to 11 goals in nine games this season.
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The run marks a turnaround after he managed only three goals during 18 months at the London club.
Baumgartner Rescues 10-Man Leipzig
Earlier on Tuesday, Christoph Baumgartner scored twice late in the match to help RB Leipzig beat third-division Rot-Weiss Essen 2-1.
Essen took the lead after nine minutes through Lucas Brumme. Leipzig’s task became harder just before half-time when Nicolas Seiwald received a second yellow card and was sent off.
The 10-man visitors appeared close to elimination until Baumgartner struck twice inside five minutes during the closing stages.
Leipzig won the German Cup in consecutive seasons in 2022 and 2023. Their late comeback kept their hopes of another title alive.
The match also followed an unusual incident involving Essen supporters. Fans had reportedly concreted over the away supporters’ entrance the night before the game, forcing city authorities to clear the access point before kick-off.
Frankfurt and Cologne Record Convincing Wins
Eintracht Frankfurt advanced with a 3-1 victory away to Hamburg, who have won the competition three times. Robin Koch, Jonathan Burkardt and Younes Ebnoutalib scored for Frankfurt.
Cologne produced one of the night’s biggest wins, beating Union Berlin 5-0. Said El Mala scored twice to help the hosts secure their place in the last 16.
Elsewhere, Mainz and Elversberg exited the competition after losing to Bochum and Darmstadt respectively. Augsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach also progressed.
Bayern Prepare to Face Magdeburg
The second-round action continues on Wednesday as holders Bayern Munich host Magdeburg.
The match is set to be Harry Kane’s first appearance since winning the Ballon d’Or on Monday, according to the supplied report.
With several Bundesliga sides already eliminated, the remaining fixtures will determine the lineup for the German Cup’s last 16.
