RB Leipzig players celebrate. © ANSA / RONALD WITTEK

DFB Cup: Dominant victories and one surprise

Several DFB Cup matches were also on the schedule for Saturday. There was even a surprise in store.

August 22, 2026

From: dpa

Niclas Füllkrug crowned his competitive comeback for Werder Bremen with a goal. In the 3-0 (1-0) first-round DFB Cup victory against fifth-tier side Lüneburger SK Hansa, the 33-year-old striker scored the second goal in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot. Jens Stage and Ludovit Reis scored the other goals for the Bundesliga club at Hamburg's Millerntor Stadium.

The first upset came from third-division newcomers SG Sonnenhof Großaspach, who defeated second-division side Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 on penalties. The score was 2-2 (2-2, 1-1) after regular time and extra time.

Leipzig, Leverkusen and Hoffenheim advance comfortably

New Leipzig coach Martín Demichelis witnessed a dominant 6-0 (3-0) victory for RB Leipzig against fourth-division side Eintracht Trier. Leverkusen also comfortably progressed to the second round. At the Wiesbaden Arena, goalscorers Patrik Schick, Lucas Vázquez, Nathan Tella, and Christian Kofane helped their new coach achieve a successful start to his competitive career.

Patrick Wimmer scored a brace. © APA/dpa / Jan Woitas

TSG Hoffenheim also had no problems against fourth-division side Erzgebirge Aue. The match ended 4-0 (3-0) in favor of the Bundesliga team. New signing Patrick Wimmer, who arrived from VfL Wolfsburg, scored a brace.

DFB Cup, 1st round: Saturday’s matches

Energie Cottbus – FC Augsburg 0:2
SV Wehen Wiesbaden – Bayer Leverkusen 0:4
1. FC Saarbrücken – Hertha BSC 3:5 on penalties
Erzgebirge Aue – TSG Hoffenheim 0:4
Lüneburger SK – Werder Bremen 0:3
MSV Duisburg – SV Elversberg 1:3
SV Hemelingen – Hannover 96 1:9
Viktoria Cologne – 1. FC Nuremberg 5:6 n. E.
Eintracht Trier – RB Leipzig 0:6
SG Sonnenhof Großaspach – Arminia Bielefeld 5:2 on penalties
TSV 1860 Munich – Holstein Kiel 0:2