Last-minute goals averted cup play for Cologne, salvaging the game.
The first round of the 2025/26 German Cup (DFB-Pokal) has seen a series of thrilling matches and significant performances, with several teams advancing to the next stage.
In one of the most impressive results, FC Kaiserslautern recorded a heavy 7-0 victory over RSV Eintracht 1949. The match was a one-sided affair, with Ritsu Doan scoring a brace for Frankfurt at Stadion Oberwerth, one before halftime (45') and another after the break (54'). Jean-Matteo Bahoya (44') and Paxten Aaronson (90.+1) also found the back of the net for Frankfurt.
Bayer Leverkusen, under the guidance of new coach Erik ten Hag, secured a 4-0 win against fourth-tier Sonnenhof Großaspach. Patrik Schick, Arthur, Christian Kofane, and Álex Grimaldo scored for Leverkusen. The match was interrupted for a 40-minute break due to a summer hailstorm, and Leverkusen's defense was tested before taking control after a red card to Großaspach's captain.
Schalke advanced by winning 1-0 in extra time against Lokomotive Leipzig, while Karlsruhe comfortably won 5-0 against Meuselwitz. Other winning sides included Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-2 at Atlas Delmenhorst), Cologne (2-1 at Jahn Regensburg), Greuther Fürth (2-0 at Blau-Weiß Lohne), Holstein Kiel and Augsburg each winning 2-0 at Homburg and Halle respectively, and Elversberg securing a 1-0 win at Ulm.
An exciting match between FV Illertissen and 1. FC Nürnberg ended 9-8 after six goals in regulation and further goals in extra time, highlighting a high-scoring encounter in the first round.
In other notable games, Eintracht Frankfurt beat FV Engers 5-0, and Schalke 04 beat 1. FC Lok Leipzig 1-0, but the game went to extra time.
Sandro Wagner had a successful debut as the coach of FC Augsburg, leading his team to a 2-0 win against Hallescher FC. Samuel Essende and Steve Mounié scored for Augsburg, while Nico Elvedi secured a win for Borussia Mönchengladbach with a goal.
Lukas Kwasniok had a fortunate debut as the new coach of 1. FC Köln, securing a 2:1 win over Jahn Regensburg. Elye Wahi and Isak Bergmann Johannesson scored for Köln, with Eric Martel scoring a late goal (90.+6) for Regensburg.
SC Paderborn won 3:1 against Viktoria Köln, and SV Elversberg defeated SSV Ulm 1-0. The second-round draw is set for 31 August 2025.
In the realm of sports, football was the focal point of the 2025/26 German Cup as FC Kaiserslautern put on a dominating show, securing a 7-0 victory over RSV Eintracht 1949. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen sealed a 4-0 win against fourth-tier Sonnenhof Großaspach.
