Frankfurt beat Bremen to book last-four berth

Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 Werder Bremen
Goals: 1-0 Silva (pen. 45+6'), 2-0 Kamada (60')
Sent off: Kostic (90+2')

Bremen have been struggling in the Bundesliga of late, but beat Borussia Dortmund in the last round of the cup and they seemingly took the momentum from that victory into this game as they matched Frankfurt in the early exchanges. Leonardo Bittencourt and Davie Selke had early sights of goal, before Milot Rashica was presented with the best chance on 35 minutes, only to see Kevin Trapp keep out his header from point-blank range. Rather than being a goal ahead, Bremen went into the interval 1-0 down after the home team were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, with Silva dispatching from the spot on the stroke of half-time.

The teams traded blows once again early in the second period, with Bittencourt looking particularly lively for the visitors. However, once again it was Frankfurt who scored as Filip Kostic was afforded time to cross from the left, and he picked out Kamada to volley in from close range. For a Bremen side low on confidence, that was a a sucker-punch they never really recovered from and Frankfurt never allowed them a clear scoring opportunity, restricting the away team to speculative attempts from distance. A disappointing evening for Bremen was made worse in stoppage time when Ömer Toprak was stretchered off following a tackle by Kostic - for which he was shown a straight red card and will miss the Eagles' semi-final clash against either Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen or fourth-tier outfit FC Saarbrücken.

• Eintracht have now knocked Bremen out of the DFB Cup on four  occasions (1978/79, 1987/88, 1997/98 and 2019/20), while Werder have only had the pleasure once (1990/91).
• Kostic has had a hand in more goals than any other Frankfurt player in all competitions so far this season (12 goals and 14 assists). His six goals scored in 2020 is a team-high, followed by Chandler and Silva on four.
• Defender Martin Hinteregger is Frankfurt's joint-leading scorer in all competitions in 2019/20, along with Goncalo Paciencia (seven goals).
• With 13 goals to their name, Bremen are the highest-scoring side in this season's DFB Cup.
• Rashica has scored three of them, and a team-leading 10 in all competitions.
• Sargent has netted four times in 27 Bundesliga appearances, but is awaiting his first DFB Cup goal.

Line-ups

Frankfurt: Trapp – Toure, Abraham (c), Hinteregger, N’Dicka – Ilsanker, Sow – Chandler (Da Costa 77'), Kamada (Kohr 82'), Kostic - Silva (Paciencia 90')
Unused subs: Rönnow, Fernandes, Gacinovic, Hasebe, Durm, Cetin
Out: Russ (Achilles tendon), Torro (knee), Rode (illness), Dost (groin)
Coach: Adi Hütter

Bremen: Pavlenka – Vogt (Sargent 82'), Toprak, Moisander (c) – Gebre Selassie, M. Eggestein, Klaassen, Augustinsson (Woltemade 90+1') – Bittencourt (Osako 66'), Selke, Rashica
Unused subs: Kapino, Veljkovic, Langkamp, Sahin, J. Eggestein, Friedl
Out: Bartels (groin), Füllkrug (torn ACL), Möhwald (knee), Bargfrede (calf), Groß (ill)
Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

FULL TIME!

And now it's all over. Frankfurt's name will be in Sunday's semi-final draw alongside Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and fourth-division side Saarbrücken.

Adi Hütter's men deserved it overall and were the better team on the night as Bremen's rotten luck continues.

90+10' LOVELY FROM SARGENT

A terrific piece of skill from the USA striker to control the ball on his thigh on the edge of the box before getting a quick shot away that's deflected just over the bar for a corner.

90+8' BREMEN PUSHING

The visitors are piling forward in numbers now, but Frankfurt have shut up shop and are not giving them any space.

90+5' TOPRAK STRETCHERED OFF

There will be a few more minutes added on as Toprak has required extensive treatment on his calf following that tackle, before being taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

90+2' KOSTIC SENT OFF

Frankfurt will play the remainder of the game - there are to be six minutes of stoppage time - with 10 men after Kostic is shown a straight red card for a tackle on Toprak.

90+1' LAST THROW OF THE DICE FOR BREMEN

Woltemade comes on for Augustinsson.

90' PACIENCIA FOR SILVA

Frankfurt make their final sub to run down a few more seconds off the like. It's a like-for-like change as Paciencia takes Silva's place up front.

86' OVER FROM SILVA

Ilsanker wins the ball high up the pitch and it spills into the path of Silva. He's on it in a flash, but dinks it just over the bar, under pressure from a defender and goalkeeper Pavlenka.

84' PILEDRIVER FROM RASHICA

Rashica collects the ball about 40 yards from goal and strides forward before smacking a shot straight down the middle. He hits it well, but Trapp barely has to move to make the save.

82' ONE MORE SUB EACH

Bremen make an attacking change as striker Josh Sargent replaces defender Kevin Vogt.

Frankfurt counter that by replacing attacker Daichi Kamada with defensive midfielder Dominik Kohr.

80' BETTER FROM BREMEN

Augustinsson whips in a left-footed free-kick from wide on the right deep to the back post, but Ilsanker is first to it and can clear the danger.

77' DA COSTA FOR CHANDLER

Frankfurt make the game's second substitution, with Danny da Costa replacing Chandler on the right wing.

75' FRANKFURT COMFORTABLE

There's not yet been an onslaught from Bremen as you might expect. Instead, Frankfurt are looking solid at the back and increasingly dangerous going forward, particularly through Kostic, who is being given more and more space on the wing.

72' LOVELY FROM KOSTIC

The Serbian winger drops into the middle of the pitch and lifts his head, seeing Kamada's run down the left towards the back post. His dink is right into his path, but is just too strong.

70' CHANCE FOR RASHICA

Eggestein powers forward in midfield and leads the charge as Bremen break forward three on three. He slides it into Rashica's path over to the left, but his attempted shot is blocked by Abraham.

66' OSAKO ON

Bremen make the first substitution of the game as Osako replaces Bittencourt in attacking midfield.

64' OVER FROM BITTENCOURT

Kamada gets caught in possession in midfield and Bremen launch forward straight away. Bittencourt receives the ball in a central position and smashes an effort at goal, again with his left foot, but it flies well over the crossbar.

60' GOAL! KAMADA DOUBLES FRANKFURT'S LEAD!

Is this the hammer blow? It's certainly very nicely worked, with Kostic in acres of space on the left. He's got plenty of time to pick out his cross, which is delivered with laser-guided accuracy onto the foot of Kamada at the back post, and all the Japanese playmaker has to do is cushion it home on the volley.

59' GOOD FROM SOW

The Frankfurt midfield darts down the left and plays an inviting ball into the middle. Chandler's on the same wavelength and has anticipated the pass, but it's a bit too strong for him and he can't get a touch on it.

57' BITTENCOURT LETS FLY

The Bremen midfielder has a go from a long way out, but he strikes the ball with his left foot and doesn't get much power behind his effort, which sails wide anyway.

55' DISJOINTED

Much like in the first half, the teams are engaged in a physical battle at present as they try to gain the upper hand. The action is concentrated in the middle of the pitch, with possession switching sides very frequently.

51' WASTED OPPORTUNITY

N'Dicka fould Rashica on the left wing and Bremen are awarded a free-kick in a good position. Bittencourt stands over it... but his delivery doesn't beat the first Eintracht defender and the home team can clear.

48' A WAY BACK FOR BREMEN?

Florian Kohfeldt's side have scored fewer goals than any other side in the Bundesliga this season (25), but they need to find one here if their cup run is to continue.

46' SECOND HALF!

Bremen get the ball rolling once again.

HALF-TIME!

And that's the last action of the half. Frankfurt were on top for most of the first 45 minutes, without looking particularly dangerous, while Bremen had the two best chances of the game through Rashica and Eggestein. However, Silva's penalty has put the home team in the driving seat at the break.

45+6' GOAL! SILVA SCORES!

The Portuguese forward holds his nerve and lashes the ball in from the penalty spot.

45+3' PENALTY TO FRANKFURT!

Referee Felix Zwayer gets a word in his ear and he consults the VAR pitchside monitor for a possible handball from Augustinsson inside the box. After careful consideration, he awards the spot-kick to the home team.

45' ONE EXTRA MINUTE

We're into stoppage time now, just under 60 seconds to go.

42' BIG SAVE FROM TRAPP!

Bremen win possession high up the pitch and Maxi Eggestein doesn't need a second invitation to shoot form range. He lets fly with a low drive from around 25 yards, but Trapp gets down well to his right to paw it away.

39' WIDE FROM CHANDLER

Chandler does well to skip past his marker in midfield. He gets to the edge of the box and immediately gets a shot away, but drags it the wrong side of the target.

35' TRAPP DENIES RASHICA!

This is the best chance of the match so far! Bittencourt curls a left-footed cross from the right into the penalty area, and Rashica meets it on the edge of the six-yard box. He heads it well, but it's straight at Trapp, who makes a good reaction save.

33' WIDE FROM HINTEREGGER

The Bundesliga's highest scoring defender this season with six goals almost finds the net again here, hitting a loose ball goalwards from the edge of the area. He doesn't make a clean connection though, and his effort bounces wide.

31' BRIEF RESPITE FOR BREMEN

The visitors get a corner and Augustinsson takes his time delivering it, eager to relieve the pressure on the visiting defence for a while. He floats it into the box, but Trapp punches clear and the hosts go on the attack once again.

28' SOW DRILLS WIDE

The Frankfurt midfielder has time and space to surge forward as the Bremen defence back off him. He lines up a shot from about 25 yards, but skews it off the outside of his right foot and it ends up well wide of the target.

27' KOSTIC ON THE RIGHT

The Frankfurt winger has drifted over to the right wing from his customary place on the left and has already caused the visitors problems a couple of times with deep, in-swinging crosses. Still no clear-cut chances, though.

24' FRANKFURT TEMPORARILY DOWN TO 10 MEN

Ilsanker is on the touchline receiving treatment after a cut near his eye starts bleeding. He's getting bandaged up, but looks like he'll be ok to continue.

22' FRANKFURT PROBING

The hosts are clearly on top right now, driving forward at every opportunity and not really letting Bremen out of their own half. They're struggling to get behind the defence though, and haven't seriously tested goalkeeper Pavlenka yet.

19' STUNNING PASS FROM ILSANKER

Ilsanker absolutely pings a pass from deep in midfield over the Bremen defence, dropping it over the last defender's head and right on to the chest of Silva. The striker brings it down well, but is flagged for offside.

16' ALMOST FROM BITTENCOURT

Klaassen dinks a lovely ball over the Frankfurt defence towards the back post after spotting Bittencourt's run. It's a nice idea, but the pass is just too strong for the midfielder, and it bounces out for a goal kick.

12' CHANCE FOR FRANKFURT

Toure slides a brilliant ball forward into the Bremen box to Kamada, who does well to hold off his marker before looking up to find a pass into the middle. He spies Silva making a charge, but his ball into the centre isn't quite accurate enough and the Portuguese forward can't make contact.

8' SELKE DENIED

A lovely move from Bremen down the right and the ball is pulled back into the middle to Selke. He's 10 yards out and could shoot on the turn first time, but he takes a touch to set himself, giving his covering defender just enough time to lunge in and make a block when he eventually does get a shot away.

6' SCRAPPY OPENING

Headers? Check. Crunching tackles in midfield? You bet. High pressing? Of course. But goals? Not yet. Both teams are still trying to lay down early markers here, so the game is still a bit disjointed.

3' RASHICA SHOOTS FROM DISTANCE

Bremen get forward for the first time in the game as Selke powers his way through in left midfield. His pass inside arrives at the feet of Rashica, who takes aim from 30 yards out. He strikes it well, but it's deflected and is no trouble for Trapp-

1' KICK-OFF!

Frankfurt, playing all in white, get the action under way at the Commerzbank-Arena!

MOMENTS AWAY

The teams are lined up in the tunnel, we're almost ready to go!

FRANKFURT REFRESHED

As the Eagles' UEFA Europa League clash away to Salzburg was delayed from Thursday to Friday last week following a severe storm warning, the planned Bundesliga Matchday 24 meeting on Sunday between Frankfurt and Bremen was postponed.

"It's very good for us that the league game was moved," said Sebastian Rode. "Now we can have a bit of a breather and focus fully on the cup."

FOUR MEMBERS OF TRIUMPHANT 2018 CUP TEAM

Frankfurt famously beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in the final of the 2018 DFB Cup, but only one of the players who began that match is also in the starting XI here: David Abraham.

Danny da Costa and Makoto Hasebe also started that final, but are on the bench here, while Mijat Gacinovic was in the squad and is among the substitutes again today.

FRANKFURT'S CUP ADVANTAGE

Werder might have the edge in terms of the teams' all-time record, but Eintracht have enjoyed greater success in their cup encounters.

They have faced off five times in the competition so far - even if the last time was back in 1997. Frankfurt have won three, while Bremen's only victory came in the semi-final replay in 1991.

HISTORY ON BREMEN'S SIDE

They may be having a season to forget right now, but Bremen have the upper hand against Frankfurt overall with 44 wins from the 105 competitive matches contested so far.

The Eagles have won 38 times, while there have been 23 draws - including 2-2 deadlocks in the two most recent Bundesliga meetings.

FRANKFURT TEAM NEWS

The big news from the Frankfurt camp is the return of Switzerland international Gelson Gerandes to the squad after recovering the an injury sustained during the team's January training camp in Florida. Fellow central midfielder Sebastian Rode misses out due to illness though.

The hosts look set to continue their 4-2-3-1 formation, with Andre Silva up front and Timothy Chandler, Daichi Kamada and Filip Kostic pulling the strings behind him.

BREMEN TEAM NEWS

The visitors are lining up largely as expected, with the only change being the return of fit-again centre-back Kevin Vogt, who comes in for Milos Veljkovic in the back three.

Up front, winter signing Davie Selke - who scored against Dortmund in the last round - is preferred to Josh Sargent and Johannes Eggestein.

HELLO AND WELCOME!

Two teams are already through to the DFB Cup semi-finals - fourth-tier Saarbrücken and defending champions Bayern Munich - while Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin are currently jousting for the third spot.

That leaves Frankfurt and Bremen to go toe-to-toe for the one remaining last-four berth. Stay tuned for all the build-up and live match coverage!