Leverkusen can celebrate. © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

Leverkusen is the first cup semi-finalist.

Bayer Leverkusen lived up to their role as favorites and advanced to the semi-finals of the DFB Cup against FC St. Pauli.

February 03, 2026

From: dpa

Coach Kasper Hjulmand's team prevailed 3-0 (1-0) against a determined Hamburg side in the quarter-finals and can continue to dream of a title this season. In front of 30.210 spectators at the sold-out BayArena, Martin Terrier (32nd minute), Patrik Schick (63rd), and substitute Jonas Hofmann (90+2) scored the goals for Leverkusen.

Early on, St. Pauli created a dangerous situation in front of the Bayer goal after their first corner (4th minute). However, the visitors failed to capitalize on the opportunity in the crowded six-yard box. Bayer then tried to take control with plenty of possession, increasingly pushing the game into the opposition's half. St. Pauli countered this approach with an early press.

St. Pauli ultimately had no chance. © APA/afp / UWE KRAFT

In the 17th minute, the visitors, currently battling relegation in the Bundesliga, had a stroke of luck: Ben Voll, deputizing for regular goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, played a disastrous pass straight to the feet of the home side. Schick, however, hesitated too long in front of the open goal, allowing Karol Mets to block the shot.

Terrier wide awake for leadership

St. Pauli remained dangerous and missed a chance to take the lead in the 24th minute when Joel Fujita fired just wide from twelve meters. The visitors grew stronger and pushed Bayer further and further back into their own half. Despite enjoying more possession, Leverkusen often played too sluggishly, especially in their attacking play.

Leverkusen, with Robert Andrich, has advanced to the next round. © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

After this brief period of pressure from the visitors, Bayer Leverkusen fought back, but initially remained bogged down in midfield. When St. Pauli failed to clear a cross decisively, the alert Terrier capitalized on the confusion, turning on the edge of the penalty area and scoring to make it 1-0. Undeterred by the deficit, St. Pauli created another great chance before halftime. However, Martijn Kaars fired over the bar (40').

Standard makes it 2-0

St. Pauli made a double substitution immediately after the restart, injecting fresh impetus into the game. However, in near-freezing temperatures, the match initially unfolded much like before the break: Hamburg patiently tried to find gaps in Leverkusen's defense, while Leverkusen, despite enjoying more possession, struggled to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities.
ä
Bayer Leverkusen, however, showed their clinical finishing once again, extending their lead to 2-0 with their first chance of the second half: After a corner, Aleix Garcia whipped in a cross from midfield to Schick, who volleyed the ball into the far corner. St. Pauli threatened again through a blocked shot from Danel Sinani (70th minute), while substitute Hofmann (75th minute) initially hit the post for Leverkusen. In stoppage time, the 33-year-old made amends, scoring the final goal.