Bayer Leverkusen exacted revenge in style on Tuesday evening, defeating Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory thanks to a brilliant performance from rising star Ibrahim Maza.
Just three days after Dortmund defeated them 2-1 in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen returned the favor on the Dortmund pitch. The 20-year-old Maza dribbled past a sleepy defense in the 34th minute to slot home the winner. The goal continued his winning streak after scoring in Leverkusen’s shock victory over Manchester City in the Champions League.
It was the first time the two German giants had met in the German Cup, despite 109 previous meetings in other competitions dating back to the 1950s, and Leverkusen capitalized.
Dortmund had their chances, including a late miss by Karim Adeyemi, who headed just wide in stoppage time. An early penalty call was also overturned after Jarell Quansah clashed with Carney Chukwuemeka in the penalty area.
Leverkusen thought they had doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Martin Terrier scored after a move initiated by Maza, but VAR ruled it out for offside.
Other DFB Cup highlights
RB Leipzig 3–1 Magdeburg: Christoph Baumgartner scored twice as Leipzig fought back after Silas Gnaka surprised them early with a penalty.
St Pauli 2–1 M’Gladbach: Breaking a brutal nine-game losing streak in the league, St Pauli eliminated three-time champions Gladbach.
Hertha Berlin 6–1 Kaiserslautern: 16-year-old Kennet Eichhorn made history as the youngest goalscorer in German Cup history.
Now all eyes will turn to Wednesday’s matches, where Bayern Munich hosts Union Berlin and defending champions Stuttgart face Bochum.
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