The DFB Cup progresses as Leverkusen advances to the next round
Germany's DFB-Pokal First Round: A Recap
In the opening round of the DFB-Pokal 2025-26, several teams showcased their prowess, with some notable upsets and impressive performances.
Bayer Leverkusen's Dominant Display
Bayer Leverkusen made a strong start in their DFB-Pokal debut, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Patrik Schick opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and the floodgates seemed to open after that. Christian Kofane (84') and Arthur (74') added to the tally before Alejandro Grimaldo sealed the deal with a penalty kick in the 87th minute.
The match was not without incident, as Volkan Celiktas and Mert Tasdelen of SG Sonnenhof Großaspach were both sent off with red cards in the 66th and 81st minutes, respectively.
1. FC Magdeburg Overcomes 1. FC Saarbrücken
In another exciting encounter, 1. FC Magdeburg eliminated 1. FC Saarbrücken with a 3-1 win. Martijn Kaars put Magdeburg ahead just before half-time, and they never looked back. Leopold Querfeld scored the second goal for Magdeburg in the 35th minute, after a corner, and Danilho Doekhi added another in the 43rd minute, also from a corner. Saarbrücken managed to pull one back, but it was too little, too late.
1. FC Union Berlin's Gritty Performance
- FC Union Berlin also had a successful outing, advancing to the next round. Union scored the opening goal through Robert Skov from a direct free kick in the 19th minute. Andrej Ilic and Danilho Doekhi added to the tally, but the details of their goals are not specified. However, Union struggled to create much from open play during the match.
FC Gütersloh's Match Outcome Unconfirmed
The match between FC Gütersloh and an unspecified opponent did not yield a confirmed outcome, as the specific details and result are not provided in the available data. The match was played in front of 4,500 traveling fans, but the team they were supporting remains unknown.
Other Notable Matches
Several other Bundesliga and lower-league teams progressed or were eliminated in the first round. Notable penalty shootouts included St. Pauli and Illertissen, who advanced after winning on penalties.
The matches primarily took place between August 15-18, 2025, with some extending to August 26-27. Despite extensive research, detailed match reports such as goal scorers or match incidents for these teams, including FC Gütersloh, were not found among the current search results.
Sports enthusiasts eagerly await other football matches
Several other Bundesliga and lower-league teams will have their chances to shine in the upcoming rounds, as they look to replicate the impressive performances seen in the first round.
A surprising football match showcased
Among the notable matches, one standout instance was St. Pauli's intense penalty shootout victory over Illertissen, which saw them advance to the next round after a hard-fought battle.
