VfB Stuttgart has reached the DFB-Pokal final after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over SC Freiburg in the semifinal, setting up a rematch with Bayern Munich in Berlin on May 23.
The match, played on April 23, 2026, saw Freiburg take an early lead through Maximilian Eggestein in the 28th minute. Stuttgart responded with an equalizer from Deniz Undav in the 70th minute, forcing the game into extra time after a 1-1 draw at full time.
In the 119th minute of extra time, substitute Tiago Tomás scored the winning goal for Stuttgart. He converted a volley from a cross by Baredine Bouanani using his heel, a moment described by Stuttgart’s head coach Sebastian Hoeneß as “krass” in a post-match interview with ARD.
Hoeneß praised his team’s resilience, saying, “Es ist ein Overload. Ich bin superhappy, es ist Wahnsinn. Dass das Tor in der 119. Minute fällt, ist krass.” The victory marks Stuttgart’s second consecutive appearance in the DFB-Pokal final as they aim to defend their title.
Stuttgart will now face Bayern Munich in the final, a team they have already played three times this season. The upcoming match will be the fourth encounter between the two sides in 2025-26, with Bayern having won the previous three meetings.
The final is scheduled for May 23, 2026, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Both teams will be looking to cap their seasons with silverware, as Stuttgart as well remains in contention for a Champions League spot in the Bundesliga.
For Freiburg, the loss ends their hopes of a domestic double this season, though they remain active in the Europa League, with upcoming matches against Sporting Braga on April 30 and May 7.
The goal by Tomás was highlighted across multiple verified match reports as the decisive moment in a tightly contested semifinal. His introduction into the game just before extra time proved pivotal, as he delivered the winner shortly after coming on.
Stuttgart’s path to the final has been defined by late-game resilience, with Undav’s equalizer and Tomás’ extra-time winner both coming in the second half of matches where they trailed.
As the team prepares for the final, attention will turn to squad availability and tactical adjustments ahead of what promises to be a high-stakes showdown against the reigning Bundesliga champions.
The DFB-Pokal final represents a chance for Stuttgart to secure back-to-back titles, a feat that would underscore their status as one of Germany’s top cup teams in recent years.
Fans around the world will be able to follow the build-up to the match through official club channels and sports broadcasters, with kickoff time to be confirmed closer to the date.
For now, Stuttgart celebrates a hard-fought semifinal win that keeps their season alive on multiple fronts, with the ultimate prize now just one match away.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the DFB-Pokal final as the date approaches, including team news, tactical previews, and post-match analysis.
