Stuttgart Edge Freiburg in Extra Time to Reach DFB-Pokal Final

VfB Stuttgart secured their place in the DFB-Pokal final with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over SC Freiburg on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. Substitute Tiago Tomás scored the winning goal in the 119th minute with a spectacular backheel flick, sending the defending champions into the showpiece match against Bayern Munich.

Match Summary

Freiburg struck first through Maximilian Eggestein, who headed home a Vincenzo Grifo corner before lashing out a foot to guide the ball past Alexander Nübel in the first half. Stuttgart responded after the break, with Deniz Undav equalizing in the 70th minute by slotting a side-footed effort past Florian Müller following a clever pass from Bilal El Khannouss.

The game remained tightly contested through regular time, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a winner. Stuttgart thought they had levelled earlier when Angelo Stiller’s 60th-minute strike appeared to tie the match, but the goal was disallowed for offside against Ermedin Demirović in the build-up.

With the score locked at 1-1, the match headed into extra time. In the dying moments of the second extra period, Tomás — who had approach off the bench — produced a moment of individual brilliance. After a quick interchange, he flicked the ball home with a backheel in the 119th minute to spark wild celebrations among the Stuttgart players, and fans.

Road to the Final

The victory marks Stuttgart’s second consecutive DFB-Pokal final appearance, having won the competition in 2025. They will now face Bayern Munich in the final on May 23, 2026, setting up a high-stakes clash between two of German football’s most successful clubs.

Bayern Munich, a record 20-time DFB-Pokal winner, advanced to the final after overcoming their own semifinal opponent earlier in the week. The upcoming final will be the fourth meeting between the sides this season across all competitions.

Key Takeaways

• Tiago Tomás scored the winning goal in the 119th minute with a backheel finish.
• Stuttgart came from behind to win 2-1 after extra time.
• Deniz Undav scored Stuttgart’s equaliser in the second half.
• Maximilian Eggestein opened the scoring for Freiburg in the first half.
• Stuttgart will face Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final on May 23, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the winning goal for Stuttgart against Freiburg?

Substitute Tiago Tomás scored the winning goal for VfB Stuttgart in the 119th minute with a backheel flick during extra time of the DFB-Pokal semifinal.

When and where is the DFB-Pokal final taking place?

The DFB-Pokal final between VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich is scheduled for May 23, 2026. The venue has not been confirmed in the available sources but is traditionally held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

How did Stuttgart reach the DFB-Pokal final?

Stuttgart reached the DFB-Pokal final by defeating SC Freiburg 2-1 in extra time in the semifinal, held on April 23, 2026, at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart. They came from behind after falling to an early goal from Maximilian Eggestein.

Match data sourced from official match reports and verified sports news outlets covering the DFB-Pokal semifinal between VfB Stuttgart and SC Freiburg on April 23, 2026.