Borussia Mönchengladbach’s women’s team came within minutes of pulling off a major DFB-Pokal upset against holders FC Bayern München before falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the Borussia-Park on September 27, 2026.
First-Half Breakthrough Stuns the Holders
Bayern entered the fixture as heavy favorites but rotated their starting lineup between UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures, leaving key personnel such as Ena Mahmutovic, Klara Bühl, Giulia Gwinn, and Pernille Harder on the bench. Gladbach capitalized on the tactical shift by pressing high in the opening exchanges. While early offensive pressure yielded no immediate chances, the hosts successfully disrupted Bayern’s rhythm.
Bayern gradually wrestled back control, though their attack was largely restricted to the left flank. The Gladbach defense held firm, conceding only one notable opportunity in the first half—a dangerous header by Edna Imade in the 33rd minute. As the half drew to a close, Borussia struck decisively. During stoppage time at the end of the opening period, Graf rose to meet a sharply delivered corner kick, heading past the goalkeeper from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage at the break. The strike marked the first goal conceded by Bayern in the DFB-Pokal in a significant stretch, following a previous campaign in which the Munich side claimed the trophy without surrendering a single goal.
Gilles Capitalizes After Halftime Adjustments
Faced with an unexpected deficit, Bayern head coach José Barcala introduced Stine Ballisager, Bernadette Amani, and Gwinn at the start of the second half. The triple substitution immediately altered the tempo, injecting directness and sustained pressure into the visitors’ attack while Gladbach defended their narrow lead with intense resolve.
Barcala deployed his final remaining options around the hour mark, bringing on Bühl and Harder. The move proved decisive in the 74th minute when Bühl delivered a corner kick that found Gilles in the center. Gilles climbed above the defense to head home the equalizer, making it 1-1.
Gladbach nearly restored their lead four minutes later when Mia Giesen capitalized on a defensive lapse in the Bayern backline, breaking through on goal only to be denied by goalkeeper Regina van Eijk.
A Dramatic Heel Finish Seals the Tie
The decisive breakthrough arrived at the other end in the 80th minute through a carbon copy of the equalizing sequence. Bühl swung another corner in from the right side, and Gilles met the cross in the center, redirecting the ball past the goalkeeper with a sensational heel flick to complete the turnaround.
Following the second goal, Bayern managed the remainder of the match effectively, shutting down potential counterattacks and consuming the remaining time, including four minutes of stoppage time. The 2-1 result secured Bayern’s progression to the next round of the competition.
Upcoming Fixtures
Borussia Mönchengladbach returns to 2. Bundesliga action on Sunday at 14:00, facing Viktoria Berlin. FC Bayern München turns its attention back to continental competition, traveling to face Benfica Lissabon in the Champions League on Wednesday at 21:00.
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