DFB-Pokal Second Round: Dortmund squeeze past Werder, Koln thrash Union Berlin

Borussia Dortmund narrowly beat Werder Bremen 3-2 in a thrilling five-goal cup tie at Signal Iduna Park. Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Carney Chukwuemeka doubled Dortmund's advantage 11 minutes later.

Niclas Fullkrug converted a penalty in the 65th minute and equalised four minutes later to revive Bremen's hopes, but Marcel Sabitzer struck in stoppage time to secure a dramatic victory for Dortmund.

BVB's clinical finishing in key attacking moments ultimately proved the difference, allowing them to hold off Bremen's late resurgence and advance to the round of 16.

Rot-Weiss Essen 1-2 RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig avoided an unexpected upset away against 3. Liga side Rot-Weiss Essen at the Stadion an der Hafenstrasse. Lucas Brumme gave the hosts an early lead in the ninth minute, putting Leipzig under pressure in a tense contest.

Christoph Baumgartner turned the match around with two goals in the 78th and 82nd minutes, securing a 2-1 victory for Leipzig. A red card late in the first half had left the visitors with ten men, forcing them to work hard defensively to preserve their advantage.

Hamburger SV 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt earned a decisive 3-1 victory over Hamburger SV at the Volksparkstadion. Plagued by extensive squad injuries, Hamburg fought bravely during the first half but ultimately buckled under second-half pressure.

Robin Koch and Jonathan Burkardt found the net for Frankfurt before substitute Ebnoutalib added a third. Terem Moffi scored a late consolation goal for Hamburg, but it was not enough to prevent the hosts from exiting the competition.

SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach 2-4 FC Augsburg

Underdogs SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach put up a respectable fight against Bundesliga side FC Augsburg at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena. Rodrigo Ribeiro scored twice in the 13th and 21st minutes to give Augsburg an early advantage, but Luca Damiano Molinari pulled one back in the 22nd minute before Volkan Celiktas equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Augsburg restored their lead through Arijon Ibrahimović in the 69th minute, with Anton Kade adding another five minutes later to seal a 4-2 win and ensure their progression.

VfL Bochum 2-0 FSV Mainz 05

VfL Bochum delivered an efficient performance at the Ruhrstadion, securing a clean-sheet victory against fellow Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05.

Christian Rasmussen broke the deadlock immediately after the interval, scoring in the 46th minute before Philipp Hofmann doubled Bochum's advantage in the 75th minute.

A disciplined defensive display kept Mainz at bay as Bochum claimed a 2-0 victory, eliminating their opponents and advancing to the third round.

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Karlsruher SC

Borussia Monchengladbach overcame a major setback to beat Karlsruher SC 2-0 at BORUSSIA-PARK. Robin Hack gave Gladbach an early lead, but Philipp Sander's red card in the 39th minute left the hosts with ten men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Lukas Ullrich doubled the lead shortly after half-time. Gladbach then defended resolutely to preserve their advantage and secure a place in the next round.

FC Koln 5-0 1 FC Union Berlin

FC Koln produced the most dominant performance of the evening, dismantling 1. FC Union Berlin 5-0 at the RheinEnergieSTADION.

Said El Mala opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and struck again in the 60th, while Linton Maina added Koln's second shortly after the break.

Isak Bergmann Jóhannesson extended the lead in the 78th minute before Sebastian Sebulonsen completed the rout two minutes from time. Union Berlin failed to mount a meaningful response as Koln secured an emphatic victory.

SV Elversberg 0-2 SV Darmstadt 98

SV Darmstadt 98 picked up an efficient away win against 2. Bundesliga rivals SV Elversberg at the Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde.

Lars Kehl put Darmstadt ahead in the sixth minute before Milan Smit doubled their advantage in the 56th minute. Although Elversberg enjoyed lengthy spells of possession and registered 26 shots, they lacked the finishing touch required to trouble their opponents. Darmstadt's greater efficiency in front of goal proved decisive as they knocked out the hosts. 

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