DFB Cup Round-Up: Frankfurt Advance, Augsburg Survive and Mainz Suffer a Shock Exit
The second round of the DFB Cup delivered a mix of expected progress, late drama and a major upset. Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Hamburger SV 3-1 in a meeting between top-flight sides, while FC Augsburg needed two influential substitutes to escape a scare against third-tier SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. The biggest surprise came in Bochum, where second-division VfL Bochum beat Mainz 05 2-0 to send the Bundesliga club out of the competition.
For fans following the football prediction picture in Germany, the results offered a reminder of the cup’s unpredictable nature: league status and recent form can shape expectations, but they do not guarantee a place in the next round. Frankfurt will now look ahead to the last 16, Augsburg must take confidence from a hard-fought win, and Mainz are left to reflect on another early cup disappointment.
Frankfurt pull clear after a competitive first half
Eintracht Frankfurt secured a 3-1 away victory over HSV at the Volksparkstadion, earning a place in the DFB Cup’s last 16 and a timely boost after a difficult spell. The win also keeps alive the club’s ambition of lifting the trophy for a sixth time.
The teams went into half-time without a goal, despite Hamburg creating several promising openings. Terem Moffi missed a chance when left unmarked, goalkeeper Noah Atubolu denied a powerful effort from Zakaria El Ouahdi, and Albert Grönbaek sent another opportunity narrowly wide. Frankfurt, meanwhile, took time to find their rhythm and struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
The match’s first major talking point arrived shortly before the break. Hamburg players and supporters were frustrated that VAR did not intervene after Robin Koch appeared to barge El Ouahdi over inside the penalty area. The incident added tension to a contest that had been closely balanced.
Frankfurt emerged with greater purpose after the interval. In the 56th minute, captain Koch headed home after Jonathan Burkardt had directed a cross from Can Uzun into his path. Hamburg pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Moffi headed wide from close range and Grönbaek was unable to convert another opening.
Those missed chances proved costly. Burkardt doubled Frankfurt’s advantage in the 71st minute, and Younes Ebnoutalib added a third four minutes later, effectively ending the contest. Moffi scored a late consolation for HSV, but the home side could not mount a serious comeback.
Injury-hit HSV face a quick rematch
Hamburg entered the tie without seven first-team players following a league defeat to newly promoted Paderborn. Among those missing were playmaker Fábio Vieira, new signing Bilal Nadir and striker Yussuf Poulsen. Coach Merlin Polzin nevertheless backed the available squad to compete, and HSV showed plenty of energy during the opening half.
Frankfurt midfielder Mario Götze acknowledged that his team had not started well, but praised the improvement after the break, saying the side had performed particularly strongly late in the match. The clubs will meet again in the league on Sunday in Frankfurt, giving HSV an immediate opportunity to respond. That fixture could offer a useful test of whether the cup result reflects a lasting difference in momentum or simply Frankfurt’s sharper finishing on the night.
Augsburg substitutes rescue the Bundesliga side
FC Augsburg avoided a major cup upset by defeating third-tier newcomers SG Sonnenhof Großaspach 4-2 away from home. The result ended a five-match winless run in the league, but the Bundesliga visitors had to withstand a spirited challenge before two substitutes turned the match in their favour.
Rodrigo Ribeiro gave Augsburg an early lead in the 13th minute and struck again eight minutes later, putting the visitors in a seemingly comfortable position. Großaspach responded quickly: Luca Molinari pulled one back, then helped create the equaliser for captain Volkan Celiktas, who made it 2-2 shortly after half-time.
The hosts had already shown their cup credentials by eliminating second-tier Arminia Bielefeld in the first round, winning on penalties after a goalless draw. Their confidence grew as the match progressed, and the prospect of another upset began to feel realistic for the home crowd.
Augsburg coach’s changes ultimately made the difference. Arijon Ibrahimovic came on in the 65th minute and scored four minutes later, curling a superb shot into the net from around 25 metres. Anton Kade, introduced at the same time, added the fourth in the 74th minute to secure qualification.
For Großaspach, the defeat ended a memorable cup run, but the performance offered encouragement. The third-tier side matched a Bundesliga opponent for long stretches and showed why knockout football can reward brave, organised play. Augsburg, by contrast, will know that a similar defensive display could prove more costly against stronger opposition in the next round.
Bochum eliminate Mainz in a costly upset
VfL Bochum produced one of the round’s standout results by beating Mainz 05 2-0 at the Ruhrstadion. The second-division side earned their first home win of the season, while Mainz suffered a fourth consecutive failure to reach the DFB Cup’s last 16.
The first half was closely contested, with little to separate the teams. Bochum, however, took the lead immediately after the interval when Christian Rasmussen’s effort was deflected by Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano and wrong-footed the goalkeeper. The goal lifted the home crowd and forced Mainz to chase the game.
Mainz coach Urs Fischer responded with a triple substitution in an attempt to change the match’s direction, but his side struggled to create a sustained attacking response. Bochum remained disciplined and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. In the 75th minute, Jarne Steuckers squared the ball for striker Philipp Hofmann, who finished from close range to make it 2-0.
The victory carried added significance for Bochum. Mainz had beaten them 4-1 in their previous meeting, a result that confirmed Bochum’s relegation from the Bundesliga. This time, the lower-division club reversed the story with a determined performance, while Mainz’s strong away record—six straight wins across two seasons—came to an end.
What the results mean for the cup picture
Frankfurt’s second-half quality and Augsburg’s bench strength proved decisive, while Bochum demonstrated how quickly a cup tie can turn when a favourite fails to take control. The results also provide useful context for any football prediction ahead of the next round: squad availability, finishing, substitutions and match-day pressure can matter just as much as a team’s league position.
With the last 16 approaching, Frankfurt will carry renewed belief, Augsburg will aim to build on a narrow escape, and Bochum can look forward to another high-profile challenge. For Mainz and HSV, attention now shifts back to league football—and to the chance to show that their cup setbacks were only temporary interruptions.
