Last-minute scores steer Cologne clear of cup contest
In the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal first round, several Bundesliga and second division teams delivered impressive performances, while some matches showcased tight contests. Here's a round-up of the key moments and results.
Borussia Dortmund narrowly edged past third-tier Rot-Weiss Essen with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from Jobe Guirassy in the 79th minute. Despite Dortmund's early dominance, Essen created chances and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had to make some key saves to secure the win.
FV Illertissen and 1. FC Nürnberg played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in regular time, which ended with Illertissen winning 6-5 on penalties. The match featured six goals and multiple lead changes, with an exciting finish.
Among the Bundesliga teams, Wolfsburg thrashed Hemelingen 9-0, Heidenheim beat Bahlinger SC 5-0, RB Leipzig prevailed 4-0 against Hansa Rostock, and Freiburg defeated Engers 5-0. Hamburg won 2-1 after extra time against Pirmasens, and Bochum advanced with a 3-1 extra-time win over BFC Dynamo.
St. Pauli progressed on penalties (3-2) after a 0-0 draw with Eintracht Norderstedt, and Magdeburg secured a 3-1 victory over Saarbrücken. However, Viktoria Cologne lost 1-3 to Paderborn, and Sandhausen suffered a 2-4 defeat (opponent not specified).
In a strong showing, Eintracht Frankfurt defeated FV Engers 07 with a 5-0 victory. Paxten Aaronson, Ritsu Doan, and Elye Wahi all scored for Frankfurt, while Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Ritsu Doan each netted a goal in their match against Koblenz. Karlsruhe SC, Holstein Kiel, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and SpVgg Greuther Fürth also recorded 5-0 victories against ZFC Meuselwitz, FC Homburg, Atlas Delmenhorst, and TuS BW Lohne, respectively.
Notably, 1. FC Köln secured a 2-1 victory over Jahn Regensburg in the DFB-Pokal first round, with goals from Eric Martel (90+6) and Isak Bergmann Johannesson (90+8). Robin Hack scored two goals for Borussia Mönchengladbach, but they still needed Nico Elvedi to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Augsburg enjoyed a successful debut under new coach Sandro Wagner, leading to a 2-0 victory against Hallescher FC, with goals from Steve Mounié and Samuel Essende.
As the DFB-Pokal continues, FC Schalke 04 needed extra time to beat 1. FC Lok Leipzig 1-0, while Bayern Munich prepare to face third-tier Wehen Wiesbaden, led by star players Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, with Neuer suspended. This promises to be a challenging encounter.
- The European-leagues football competition in 2025/26 might showcase entertaining matches like the one between FV Illertissen and 1. FC Nürnberg in the DFB-Pokal first round, where they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw and Illertissen won 6-5 on penalties.
- In addition to the domestic leagues, several European football fans might be eager to watch teams like Borussia Dortmund in the European-leagues, with their impressive victory against third-tier Rot-Weiss Essen in the 2025/26 DFB-Pokal first round, thanks to a goal from Jobe Guirassy in the 79th minute.
