Stuttgart Claims German Cup Title with Decisive Victory Over Arminia Bielefeld
BERLIN – VfB Stuttgart secured their fourth German Cup title on Saturday, defeating third-division champions Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in a captivating final held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Stuttgart's clinical performance, highlighted by Enzo Millot's brace, dashed Bielefeld's hopes of capping off their fairytale cup run with an upset victory.
Dominant First Half Sets the Stage
Stuttgart asserted their dominance early in the match, capitalizing on defensive errors from Bielefeld. Nick Woltemade opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a low shot from the edge of the area, beating goalkeeper Jonas Kersken. Enzo Millot quickly followed up with a second goal, and Deniz Undav added a third before halftime, leaving Bielefeld with a daunting 3-0 deficit. Despite a lively start from Bielefeld, including a shot off the crossbar by Noah Sarenren Bazee, Stuttgart's efficiency in front of goal proved to be the difference.
Millot's Masterclass Extends Lead
The second half saw Stuttgart continue their attacking prowess. Millot scored his second goal of the match in the 66th minute, extending Stuttgart's lead to 4-0. The Bundesliga side appeared to be cruising to victory, showcasing their superior quality and experience. Stuttgart's midfield, led by the influential Angelo Stiller, controlled the tempo of the game, dictating play and creating numerous scoring opportunities.
Bielefeld Mounts Late Comeback
Despite being down by four goals, Arminia Bielefeld refused to surrender. Julian Kania, a substitute, pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute, marking the first-ever German Cup final goal by a player from the third division. Just a minute later, Stuttgart's Josha Vagnoman scored an own goal, reigniting Bielefeld's hopes and injecting drama into the final minutes of the match. The late surge, however, proved to be too little, too late for the underdogs.
Stuttgart's Triumph and European Qualification
With the 4-2 victory, Stuttgart secured their first German Cup title since 1997. The win also guarantees them a spot in the Europa League's league phase for the upcoming season. For Stuttgart, the cup triumph marks a successful end to a season that saw them finish ninth in the Bundesliga, just shy of European qualification through league position. The victory provided relief for coach Sebastian Hoeness's side after a somewhat disappointing Bundesliga campaign. This was Hoeneß's 100th game as Stuttgart head coach.
Bielefeld's Impressive Cup Run Ends
Arminia Bielefeld, despite the loss, can be proud of their remarkable journey to the final. As a third-division team, they defied expectations by knocking out four top-flight sides, including defending champions Bayer Leverkusen, en route to the final. Their cup run captivated fans across Germany and showcased the potential for upsets in the competition. Bielefeld had already secured promotion back to Bundesliga 2, and while they missed out on capping their season with another trophy, their performance in the German Cup will be remembered as a historic achievement.
Stuttgart's victory was their fourth German Cup triumph, adding to their previous wins in 1954, 1958 and 1997. Nick Woltemade finished as the top scorer in this season's DFB Cup with five goals. The match was played in front of 74,000 spectators.
