Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen became the next victims of Arminia Bielefeld’s giant-killing DFB Cup campaign as the third-tier side came from behind to win 2-1 and book their place in the final.
Bielefeld 2-1 Leverkusen
Goals: 0-1 Tah 17’ (assist: Adli), 1-1 Wörl (20’), 2-1 Großer 45’+3 (assist: Oppie)
Bielefeld had knocked out Bundesliga teams Union Berlin (2-0), Freiburg (3-1) and Werder Bremen (2-1) in previous rounds to reach the last four, but there was a prevailing sense that Xabi Alonso’s defending cup holders would be a step too far for them. So when Jonathan Tah volleyed in an early opener from Amine Adli’s flick-on at a corner, the match appeared to be following a predictable script. Bielefeld had other ideas though, and equalised shortly afterwards when Marius Wörl reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the Leverkusen penalty area and curled a shot past Lukáš Hrádecký. Encouraged by that goal and roared on by their home crowd, Bielefeld should have gone in front a couple of minutes later when Noah Sarenren Bazee sprinted through one-on-one with Hrádecký, only this time the goalkeeper produced an astonishing save. The hosts did go into the break with a narrow advantage when Maximilian Großer volleyed in a devilish Louis Oppie free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Alonso introduced Victor Boniface early in the second half as Leverkusen sought a way back into the game, but Bielefeld refused to buckle. They should even have gone two goals clear when Oppie found space on the left-hand byline and cut the ball back for Joel Grodowski, but he scuffed his shot from close to the penalty spot and the ball bobbled wide. It was no one-off either. The third-division outfit refused to sit back and just defend their lead, but continued to get forward and trouble the Bundesliga champions. Boniface had a header clawed away by goalkeeper Jonas Kerksen and Patrik Schick grazed the outside of the post with a header from Jeremie Frimpong’s pinpoint cross. That was as good as it got for Alonso's men, who pushed for a trademark late goal but were unable to find it against their dogged hosts, who deservedly secured a first-ever trip to the DFB Cup final.
Match stats
Teams
Bielefeld: Kersken - Schneider, Russo, Großer - Hagman, Schreck (Young 90'+3), Corboz (c), Oppie - Sarenren Bazee (Felix 90'+3), Wörl - Grodowski (Biankadi 83')
Unused subs: Oppermann, Lannert, Kunze, Richter, Schroers, Kania
Out: Uldrikis (knee)
Coach: Mitch Kniat
Leverkusen: Hrádecký - Mukiele, Tah (c), Hincapié - Xhaka, Andrich - Frimpong, Palacios (Boniface 53'), Adli (Tella 77'), Grimaldo - Schick
Unused subs: Kovář, Hofmann, Arthur, Buendía, Sarco, García, Natali
Out: Belocian (knee), Hermoso (shoulder), Tapsoba (muscular), Terrier (Achilles), Wirtz (ankle)
Coach: Xabi Alonso
As it happened!
Tah's volley is high and wide. Five minutes of added-on time remaining for Leverkusen.
The defence of their title will soon be over if they can't find an equaliser in the next few minutes.
Leverkusen's best opening since opening the scoring. Schick is unmarked in the middle of the area, but he can only head Frimpong's cross onto the outside of the post. What a chance!
Boniface's header towards the bottom corner is pushed away by Kersken, and the resulting corner is eventually cleared. A little over 15 minutes left for Bielefeld to hold out.
Grodowski drags his shot wide when in acres of space in the box. Bielefeld, right now, look the more likely to score the next goal.
Wörl volleys over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
The Nigeria international is on for Palacios - can he have an impact on this encounter?
Bielefeld are in no mood to let their slender lead slip - in fact, they are trying to add to it at the start of this second period.
Bielefeld are 45 minutes away from the Olympiastadion unless Leverkusen can turn things around.
The hosts complete the turnaround! Oppie's brilliant free-kick finds Großer at the back post, and his pokes the ball into the roof of the net. A huge moment to end the half!
Another save for Kersken, but again, he is hardly troubled by Schick's header.
Two minutes have been added on.
Bielefeld have a set-piece around the edge of the box, but Russo fires it over the bar.
Adli's volley doesn't trouble Kersken, who can gather comfortably.
The ball is fired in towards Schick, and he can't sort out his feet quick enough to guide his shot on target.
Hrádecký makes a crucial save to keep out Sarenren Bazee, who beat Hincapié for pace and strength before seeing his effort when one one with the Finnish goalkeeper parried to safety.
The hosts have a spring in their step after that goal and look hungry for more.
It didn't take long for Bielefeld to find an answer! A long ball is worked towards Wörl, who buries into the corner with aplomb. All square again!
Much like the early half-chance, Tah is found at the back post from a corner. This time, he is unmarked and can bundle the ball over the line despite Kersken's best efforts.
Neither side have been able to create any real opportunities so far, with the respective backlines performing well so far.
The hosts are passing the ball around well as they look to get Leverkusen moving.
Bielefeld may find themselves defending for lots of this match, but they do break quickly early on here. It comes to nothing for something, although it is a warning sign for the visitors.
Early chance for Leverkusen as a corner eventually finds its way to Tah at the back post. However, he can only head over the crossbar.
We are underway here in Bielefeld!
The teams have made their way onto the field of play for this first semi-final!
Not long to go until this one gets underway - can Bielefeld pull off a shock or will Leverkusen continue the defence of their title?
Their previous semi-final defeats saw two of the three teams they'd faced go on to win the trophy. Bayern saw off Schalke in the 2005 final, while a Kevin De Bruyne inspired Wolfsburg were victorious against Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
This is not Bielefeld's first DFB Cup semi-final, having also reached this stage in 2004/05 (vs. Bayern Munich), 2005/06 (vs. Eintracht Frankfurt) and in 2014/15 (vs. Wolfsburg). They are yet to win one, however, which they'll hope to change tonight.
Leverkusen make just two changes from their Matchday 27 win against Bochum, with Robert Andrich and Amine Adli replacing Aleix García and Victor Boniface. Bielefeld make two changes from their draw with Hannover, with Großer and Hagman coming in for Lannert and Kania.