Eigen RadarSports
Archive
Analysis

Sabitzer’s late free-kick sends Dortmund through after Bremen fightback

Marcel Sabitzer scored directly from a stoppage-time free-kick as Borussia Dortmund beat Werder Bremen 3-2 in the German Cup. Dortmund had surrendered an early two-goal advantage to a Niclas Füllkrug double. The late winner settled the second-round tie before extra time and took the hosts into the last 16.

Sports··Midday
Imagined goal scene: a black-and-white football presses into the upper corner of a yellow-and-black net, beside a white post and crossbar, with empty stadium seats behind.

Dortmund build a two-goal lead

Borussia Dortmund beat Werder Bremen 3-2 in the second round of Germany’s knockout cup, the DFB-Pokal, on Tuesday. Marcel Sabitzer’s direct free-kick in the third minute of stoppage time secured a place in the last 16. Dortmund had led by two goals at half-time before Bremen drew level through substitute Niclas Füllkrug, leaving the tie unresolved until the closing moments.[1], [2]

The hosts went ahead in the sixth minute. Julian Ryerson redirected a low delivery from the left to Serhou Guirassy, who finished from close range. Dortmund doubled the advantage in the seventeenth minute when Jobe Bellingham headed the ball towards Carney Chukwuemeka, whose half-volley went under the goalkeeper. Guirassy later headed wide from close range as Dortmund sought another goal before the interval.[1]

Füllkrug brings Bremen back in four minutes

Bremen created more danger after the break. Nico Schlotterbeck intervened to stop a threatening attack, while Chukwuemeka missed a chance at the other end. Füllkrug reduced the deficit with a penalty in the 65th minute after Ryerson conceded a foul in the box. Four minutes later, he beat Waldemar Anton and drove the ball past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for the equaliser.[1], [2]

The comeback echoed the teams’ Bundesliga meeting two and a half weeks earlier, when Dortmund also let a two-goal lead slip and the game ended 2-2. Bremen now threatened to complete the turnaround. Mitchell Weiser sent an effort narrowly wide, and the visitors remained in contention as the prospect of extra time approached.[2]

Sabitzer strikes before extra time

Amos Pieper blocked a late Daniel Svensson shot to keep Bremen level. Sabitzer then changed the outcome with the set piece from the left. Karl Hein was expecting a cross, but the Austrian midfielder curled his free-kick directly into the top corner. The winner ended Bremen’s comeback and settled the tie during normal time rather than sending the teams into an additional period.[1], [2]

References

  1. News sourceDFBSabitzer stoppage-time winner sends Dortmund into cup last 16↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceSportschauSabitzer ruins Bremen’s comeback fairytale↩1↩2↩3↩4

More analysis from this desk

View all Brief analyses from the Sports desk →