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The DFB-Pokal second-round match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund, held on October 28, 2025, at Deutsche Bank Park, ended in a tense 1-1 draw after extra time, with Dortmund taking a 4-2 lead on penalties.
Frankfurt took the lead in the 7th minute through Ansgar Knauff, assisted by Mario Götze, after a quick counterattack. Dortmund equalized in the 48th minute through Julian Brandt, assisted by Julian Ryerson after a quick transition.
Despite Frankfurt’s dominance of possession and creating chances during extra time, the match remained even until the penalty shootout, where Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel emerged as the hero by saving Ritsu Doan’s decisive penalty. The crowd was 59,300, and referee Sven Jablonski presided over a high-intensity match, but with few clear-cut chances after the first half. Impact
This result provided a significant morale boost and momentum for Dortmund, which has had an inconsistent season in the Bundesliga (currently 4th with 17 points) and the Champions League (7th with 7 points).
The victory halts a potential slide following their recent 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich and underlines the resilience of Niko Kovač’s team, especially in high-stakes knockout matches. Key players like Brandt (goal and creative cross) and Kobel (penalty shootout saves) highlighted Dortmund’s depth, with substitutes like Carney Chukwuemeka converting penalties to secure qualification.
For Frankfurt, the defeat exacerbates their inconsistent form, despite a recent 2-0 Bundesliga victory over St. Pauli that broke a five-match winless streak.
In sixth place in the league with 13 points, the Eagles showed potential in attack, scoring more than two goals in five of their last eight matches in all competitions.
However, their weak defense (22 goals conceded in the previous seven matches before a clean sheet against St. Pauli) was evident in the penalty shootout.
The defeat interrupts a potential cup run that could have eased the pressure on Dino Toppmöller, whose team has reached the round of 16 in the last two Pokal campaigns.
The broader implications impact the Bundesliga landscape: Dortmund’s continued presence extends their multi-competition workload, potentially straining resources amid Champions League commitments, while Frankfurt’s early elimination allows for a focus on a league comeback, but stings given their strong home record against Dortmund in early 2025 (a 2-0 win in January).
Dortmund joins teams like RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach in the round of 16, which could lead to a big third-round tie. This keeps their hopes of a treble alive, as they have won only one of their last 12 matches against Frankfurt, but have dominated six of their previous seven.
Frankfurt’s elimination evokes their disappointing end to 2023 (a 2-0 defeat to RB Leipzig) and focuses their attention solely on staying in the Bundesliga, where they sit 11 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Team Dynamics and Morale: For Dortmund, the victory fosters unity after early-season stumbles, validating Kovač’s rotation strategy (e.g., starting Jude Bellingham and Maximilian Beier).
It could boost a bid for a top-four finish, especially given their away form, which has seen them earn four wins this season.
However, Frankfurt is facing a moment of introspection: fan frustration with the X, centered on an alleged offside call for Dortmund’s equalizer and refereeing inconsistencies, has intensified calls for defensive reinforcements ahead of Champions League matches (they currently sit 24th with 3 points).
Injuries and squad management: No major injuries have been reported, but Frankfurt’s reliance on veteran players like Götze (assist) could prompt the integration of youngsters, while Dortmund’s composure in penalty shootouts (converts by Süle and Chukwuemeka) boosts confidence for upcoming matches like their Champions League clash against Bologna.
Social media attention around the X reflected mixed feelings: Dortmund fans praised Kobel’s “heroics” and “resilient comeback,” while Frankfurt supporters lamented the “unfair penalties” and “squandered dominance,” with one viral post calling it “football’s cruel lottery.”
This penalty thriller encapsulates the magic of the DFB-Pokal: unpredictable and exciting knockout football where narrow margins decide fate.
Dortmund’s surge feels like a gamble won over talent, reinforcing their status as perennial contenders despite not always shining. Their precise finishing and Kobel’s decisive saves tipped the scales in a match where Frankfurt arguably deserved more, based on their control of territory and initial intent.
For the Eagles, it’s a stark reminder of their fragility under pressure, which could fuel a Bundesliga revival but dent their cup hopes.
Ultimately, the result favors Dortmund’s deeper squad in a congested schedule, but Frankfurt’s attacking verve (evident in Knauff’s opening goal) indicates untapped potential if defensive issues are addressed. Dortmund are expected to build on this momentum, while Frankfurt licks its wounds and looks to finish in the top six. 1.2s Quick
