Borussia Dortmund secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Werder Bremen in the second round of the German Cup on October 27, 2026, thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s stunning stoppage-time free kick. The late strike settled a thrilling contest at Signal Iduna Park after Dortmund had surrendered a two-goal lead in the second half.
The victory secured Dortmund’s place in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal, while Bremen were eliminated despite mounting an impressive comeback through substitute Niclas Füllkrug.
Dortmund Take Control With Two First-Half Goals
Dortmund started aggressively and opened the scoring in the sixth minute. A swift attacking move involving Felix Nmecha and Maximilian Beier created the opportunity, with Julian Ryerson helping direct the ball into Serhou Guirassy’s path. The striker finished from close range to give the hosts an early advantage.
The home side doubled its lead in the 17th minute. Joey Veerman delivered the ball into the penalty area, where Jobe Bellingham headed it into the path of Carney Chukwuemeka. The midfielder struck a powerful effort past goalkeeper Karl Hein to make it 2-0.
Dortmund continued to create opportunities before the interval but could not extend its advantage further. Bremen also struggled to convert its attacking moves into clear chances, leaving the visitors with a substantial deficit at half-time.
Füllkrug Revives Bremen’s Hopes
Werder Bremen returned with greater urgency after the break, gradually putting Dortmund under pressure. The turning point arrived in the 65th minute when Ryerson was penalised for a foul inside the penalty area.
Füllkrug, introduced as a substitute, stepped up and converted the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Just three minutes later, the forward struck again. After receiving the ball in midfield, Füllkrug advanced towards the penalty area and fired a low shot into the net from distance, bringing Bremen level at 2-2.
His quick double transformed the contest. Dortmund, which had appeared comfortable for much of the first half, suddenly faced the prospect of extra time. Bremen gained confidence and looked capable of completing the comeback.
Sabitzer Delivers a Spectacular Late Winner
With the match approaching its conclusion, Dortmund searched for a decisive breakthrough. Head coach Niko Kovač introduced Sabitzer during the second half in an attempt to regain control and create another scoring opportunity.
The decisive moment arrived in the third minute of stoppage time. Dortmund won a free kick approximately 25 yards from goal after Felix Nmecha was fouled.
Sabitzer took responsibility and curled the ball directly into the net, beating Hein and restoring Dortmund’s lead at 3-2. The strike sparked celebrations among the home supporters and prevented the match from going into extra time.
The goal proved decisive, ending Bremen’s hopes of progressing and confirming Dortmund’s place in the next round.
Dortmund Advance Despite Second-Half Concerns
The result offered Dortmund a valuable cup victory but also exposed a weakness in protecting leads. After building a commanding position through Guirassy and Chukwuemeka, the hosts allowed Bremen to score twice within a short period.
Dortmund’s late response ultimately made the difference, demonstrating the importance of maintaining attacking intent even after a match becomes difficult. Sabitzer’s contribution was particularly significant because he delivered the winning goal shortly after coming off the bench.
For Bremen, Füllkrug’s performance provided a major highlight. His penalty and second goal brought the visitors back into contention, but the team could not withstand Dortmund’s final attack.
Dortmund Move Into the Last 16
The 3-2 win keeps Dortmund’s German Cup campaign alive as they prepare for the next round. Their immediate challenge will be to address the defensive lapses that allowed Bremen to recover from a two-goal deficit.
Bremen, meanwhile, must turn its attention back to its domestic campaign after exiting the competition.
Sabitzer’s late free kick will stand as the defining moment of the tie, ensuring that a match that seemed settled early on ended with a dramatic finish.
