Top-tier German football clubs Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, and Freiburg secured their spots in the German Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, though the round also saw a major upset with prominent club Hamburger SV eliminated by a second-division challenger.
Bayern Munich faced a challenging match against Union Berlin, ultimately winning 3-2. The Bavarian giants relied on two own goals, one from Ilyas Ansah in the 12th minute and another from Diogo Leite in the 45th minute, to build their lead.
England striker Harry Kane added Bayern’s other goal in the 24th minute. Union Berlin’s goals came from Austrian player Leopold Querfeld, who scored two penalties in the 40th and 55th minutes, keeping the contest tight.
Current German Cup holders Stuttgart advanced with a 2-0 victory over second-division Bochum. Bochum’s Philipp Strompf scored an own goal in the 12th minute, and was later sent off before halftime. Deniz Undav sealed Stuttgart’s win with a goal in the 47th minute.
Freiburg also progressed, defeating second-tier Darmstadt. Italian Vincenzo Grifo converted a penalty in the 42nd minute, and Lucas Holer added another goal in the 69th minute. Grifo later missed a second penalty opportunity in the 84th minute.
The biggest surprise of the night occurred in Hamburg, where prominent second-division club Hamburger SV was knocked out by fellow second-tier side Kiel. The match ended in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for Kiel.
Hamburger SV initially took the lead in extra time with a goal from Bakery Jatta in the 107th minute. However, Kiel responded through Phil Harres in the 118th minute, forcing the decisive penalty shootout.