Stuttgart book their place in DFB-Pokal final | OneFootball

MHPArena was rocking as VfB Stuttgart hosted RB Leipzig in a highly anticipated clash. The home side got off to a dream start, thanks to an absolute thunderbolt from Angelo Stiller. Meeting a cleared corner on the volley from 25 yards out, Stiller struck one of the sweetest efforts of the season, sending the Stuttgart faithful into raptures with just five minutes on the clock.

Stuttgart continued to push forward in the early stages as Ermedin Demirovic latched onto a ball from Nick Woltemade inside the six-yard box, only for Maarten Vandevoort to produce a vital save to keep his side ahead.

RB Leipzig grew into the game, and their first real opportunity came in the 15th minute when Lois Openda broke into the left side of the box. His powerful effort was met with a strong right-hand save from Alexander Nübel, who was proving to be a decisive figure between the posts. Just a minute later, Openda was in again, this time played through by Xavi Simons. His left-footed effort was denied brilliantly by Nübel's outstretched leg, keeping Stuttgart's slender lead intact.

The final 15 minutes of the half saw Leipzig take control, as Stuttgart struggled to regain their early foothold. Xavi tested Nübel once more with a deflected volley from the edge of the area, but the Stuttgart shot-stopper reacted quickly to claim the ball in front of the passionate Cannstatter Kurve.

Nübel’s biggest intervention of the half came from another Openda effort, a precise side-footed attempt that forced yet another spectacular save from the in-form keeper. Despite Leipzig’s dominance in possession and their slick attacking play, they found themselves repeatedly frustrated by Nübel’s heroics. Stuttgart, on the other hand, were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with Openda’s movement and threat in front of goal.

Die Schwaben had the lead, but Leipzig’s growing influence suggested an intriguing second half was in store.

Ten minutes into the second half, Nick Woltemade came close to doubling Stuttgart’s advantage, rising high in the box and directing a powerful header toward goal, only to be denied by a sharp reflex save from Vandevoort. Stuttgart were determined to wrestle back control, and moments later, controversy struck. Maximilian Mittelstädt went to ground under a challenge from Ridle Baku in the box, sparking loud appeals for a penalty. However, after a tense VAR review, the decision was made—there was contact, but not enough to warrant a spot-kick.

The frustration was short-lived. Moments later, Woltemade found himself in space inside the box once again. With ice-cold composure, he slotted home from the right-hand side of the area, sending the Cannstatter Kurve into an explosion of noise and giving VfB Stuttgart a crucial two-goal cushion. The stadium erupted as the hosts took a commanding grip on the game.

However just five minutes later, in a period where the next goal was crucial, Benjamin Sesko grabbed one back for Leipzig in the 61st minute after his side capitalised on a poor clearance from Atakan Karazor.

As the tension continued to grow, and grow inside Neckarstadion, the hosts added a third to give themselves a two-goal lead once again in the 73rd minute as Woltemade rose highest from a Mittelstädt corner, seeing his header blocked off the line, before Jamie Leweling prodded the ball over the line.

Woltemade came close to adding a sensational fourth for the hosts just a minute later, as he raced through on goal before striking the crossbar with an elegant dink.

Naturally, the final period remained tension-filled as Leipzig continued to prod and probe in search of a route back into the tie. However as their famous “1893” chant rang around the stadium, Die Schwaben continued to stand firm.

Leipzig goalscorer Sesko found the bar with an inventive overhead kick as the clock got closer and closer to reaching 90 minutes.

With five minutes of additional time being announced, Stuttgart looked for any out-ball possible as the decibels continued to rise with the sound of Swabian voices seeing Berlin in their sights.

And it well and truly was. The final whistle kickstarted a joyous moment of relief and energy, with VfB Stuttgart dotting their I's and crossing their Ts to confirm their place in the 2025 DFB-Pokal final.