RB Leipzig win the DFB-Pokal!
Leipzig defeat Freiburg on penalties in DFB-Pokal final | Freiburg hit woodwork three times in extra time | Eggestein opens scoring, Nkunku equalizes | Halstenberg sees red card for professional foul
RB Leipzig lift the DFB-Pokal! The Red Bulls overcame SC Freiburg 4-2 after a 1-1 draw. Maximilian Eggestein’s opener (19’) was cancelled out by Christopher Nkunku (76’)in the second half. The two sides were unable to be separated in extra time, but RB Leipzig came out on top in the penalty shoot out!
The 79th ever DFB-Pokal final was one of high intensity. Emil Forsberg and Christopher Nkunku came close to giving Domenico Tedesco’s team an early lead (15’). Freiburg were the more clinical side and took the lead with their first shot. Roland Sallai seemed to handle the ball accidentally and the ball fell into the path of Maximilian Eggestein, who finished from outside the area. Despite the questionable handball, the goal was awarded (19’). RBL looked for a quick response and Nkunku went close, but goalkeeper Mark Flekken and defender Nico Schlotterbeck combined to clear (24’). Willi Orban had the next effort, testing Flekken from outside the area (34’).
Leipzig began the second half with a lot of momentum, but Nkunku was denied again by Flekken in the 49th minute. With Leipzig in control, Freiburg hit on the counter with a long ball to Lucas Höler. He got the beating of Marcel Halstenberg and was brought down by the defender. As the last man, Halstenberg was shown the red card (57’). Vincenzo Grifo stepped up but couldn’t hit the target from the resulting free kick (59’). Leipzig seemed to step up a level after the red card and were finally rewarded for their resilience. At a free kick, goalkeeper Flekken was beaten to the ball by Orbán, and Christo was in the right place at the right time to turn home from close range (76’)! Towards the end of the game, Leipzig were the ones to come closest to winning through Dominik Szoboszlai (82’) and Dani Olmo (85’).
The game headed into extra time, where Ermedin Demirovic (92’) had the first chance to open the scoring with a header. Janik Haberer was also denied by a fantastic save from RBL goalkeeper and captain Péter Gulácsi, who deflected a strong effort onto the inside of the post. Demirovic got to the reboud but shot over the bar. Haberer came close again and hit a fantastic half-volley from distance onto the crossbar (115’). In the 117th minute, however, Freiburg were the lucky ones. Nicolas Höfler brought down Olmo in the penalty area and, despite what looked like a clear foul, the referee decided against awarding a penalty after a VAR check.
Penalties were required. With Leipzig finding the back of the net with all four of their efforts, Freiburg’s Günter (over) and Demirovic (crossbar) could not convert.
RB LEIPZIG WIN THEIR FIRST MAJOR TROPHY!
Starting XI:
Statistics:
Sport-Club Freiburg:
Flekken - Gulde (105' K. Schlotterbeck), Lienhart, N. Schlotterbeck - Kübler (86' Schmid), Eggestein (86' Haberer), Höfler, Günter (C) - Sallai (79' Demirovic), Grifo - Höler (79' Petersen)
Unused subs:
Uphoff, Sildillia, Jeong, Weißhaupt
RB Leipzig:
Gulácsi (C) - Simakan (113' Gvardiol), Orban, Halstenberg (57' red card) - Klostermann, Kampl (68' Olmo), Laimer (99' Adams), Henrichs - Forsberg (61' Szoboszlai)- Nkunku, Silva (61' Mukiele)
Unused subs:
Martínez, Angeliño, Haidara, Poulsen
Goals:
0-1 Eggestein (19') | 1-1 Nkunku (76')
Yellow cards:
81' Kübler, 90' Lienhart, 113' Demirovic | 58' Simakan, 60', 118' Kampl, 83' Forsberg
Red cards:
57' Halstenberg, 118' Kampl (not on pitch)
Referee:
Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)
Attendance:
74,222, Olympiastadion, Berlin
First half highlights:
1st minute:
Kick-off in the capital! Let's go Leipzig!
8th minute:
Günter crosses sin from a corner but Willi is there to avert the danger.
11th minute:
Freiburg have had a few set pieces early on, but Leipzig have dealt with any threat well.
14th minute:
Double chance for Leipzig! Emil drives into the area down the left and shoots, but Flekken saves. The rebound falls to Christo, whose shot is deflected for a corner.
19th minute, goal for Freiburg
Freiburg attack down the left and Günter crosses into the area to Sallai. The Freiburg forward handles the ball when trying to control it, deflecting it into the part of Eggestein, who shoots into the back of the net first time. The referee gives the goal.
24th minute:
Nearly a perfect response! Leipzig attack and Christo picks up on a Freiburg clearance and shoots. Flekken manages to get something on the shot before Schlotterbeck gets there to clear the ball.
34th minute:
Silva gets the ball on the left and cuts in and shoots, but his effort is blocked. The ball comes to Orbán, who drives forward through the centre and shoots from range. Flekken saves down low.
Half time:
Leipzig have enjoyed some good chances but have been unable to find the back of the net. Eggestein’s goal had Freiburg ahead. Work to do in the second half!
Second half highlights:
46th minute:
Back in action at the Olympiastadion!
49th minute:
Henrichs crosses from the left and the Freiburg defenders can only clear as far as Christo. He shoots on the turn, but Flekken saves. Promising start to the half!
55th minute:
Leipzig’s pressure is paying off; Freiburg are unable to hold onto the ball for long spells.
57th minute, red card for Leipzig:
After Simakan goes down in the area, Freiburg clear and Höler beats out Halstenberg and runs through on goal. As the last man, Halstenberg pulls him back and is shown the red card for a professional foul.
59th minute:
Grifo takes the resulting free kick but sends the ball wide.
60th minute:
Sallai is played in behind the Leipzig defence and shoots, but Gulácsi is there to save.
61st minute:
Double change for RBL: Mukiele and Szoboszlai come on for Silva and Forsberg.
68th minute:
Another change: Olmo replaces Kampl.
76th minute, GOOOAALL for Leipzig!
There is the equaliser! Szoboszlai’s free kick is blocked by the wall and Laimer picks up possession and floats in a cross. Willi Orban rises highest to flick the ball on, where Christo Nkunku beats Flekken to the ball at the back post and nudges home. 1-1!
82nd minute:
Almost the lead! Szoboszlai shoots from a free kick at a narrow angle. Flekken gets there and pushes away into the crowded penalty area. Henrichs’ shot gets blocked and Freiburg manage to scramble it away.
85th minute:
So close! Leipzig attack down the left and Freiburg are unable to clear the cross properly. The ball falls to Olmo, whoe chests to control then shoots with his right. The connection is good, but it’s narrowly wide of the post. Flekken was beaten!
End of 90 minutes:
Extra time is needed to split the two teams. Here we go, boys!
Extra time highlights:
91st minute:
Let's go, boys!
92nd minute:
Close for Freiburg! Günter sends in a corner and Demirovic heads onto the post.
97th minute:
Freiburg are slowly coming back into the game but Leipzig are safe at the back.
104th minute:
Freiburg cross from the left and Schmid shoots. The shot is blocked and falls to Haberer, who shoots first time. The ball is headed for the bottom corner, but Gulácsi reacts brilliantly, dives across goal and pushes it onto the post. The rebound falls to Demirovic, but he sends the ball over the bar.
Half time.
106th minute:
Back underway!
113th minute:
RBL look to surge forward on the counter attack after a Freiburg corner, but Demirovic brings down Szoboszlai. He is shown a yellow card.
115th minute:
Out of nothing, Haberer hits a volley from the edge of the area and rattles the crossbar! What a goal that would have been...
117th minute:
Olmo gets the ball and dribbles towards the byline in the area. Höfler slides across and brings the forward down. After a VAR check, the referee decides against awarding the penalty. It looked quite a clear foul...
120+1st minute:
Full time and the two sides are still level despite some late Leipzig pressure. We’re going to penalties!
Penalty shoot out:
Pete hat den Münzwurf gewonnen - es wird vor der Leipziger Kurve geschossen! Zudem fängt RBL an, kann vorlegen.
Leipzig will take the first penalty and will shoot towards the goal in front of the Leipzig end.
1st penalty Leipzig:
Nkunku fires into the top left corner! 1-0.
1st penalty Freiburg:
Petersen slides into the bottom right. 1-1.
2nd penalty Leipzig:
Orbán finishes into the bottom right. 2-1.
2nd penalty Freiburg:
Günter misses! The Freiburg captain fires over the bar. 2-1 Leipzig!
3rd penalty Leipzig:
Olmo nestles into the top left corner. 3-1.
3rd penalty Freiburg:
Keven Schlotterbeck finds the back of the net. 3-2.
4th penalty Leipzig:
Henrichs fires past Flekken into the bottom left corner. 4-2!
4th penalty Freiburg:
Demirovic fires the ball against the crossbar. LEIPZIG WIN!!!
OUR FIRST EVER MAJOR TROPHY! RB LEIPZIG ARE DFB-POKAL WINNERS!