Bayer Leverkusen’s dreams of back-to-back German Cup titles were shattered on Tuesday as third-division underdogs Arminia Bielefeld pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory in the semi-finals.
Xabi Alonso’s side, favorites to reach the final, were outplayed from start to finish by a determined Bielefeld team that has now eliminated four Bundesliga clubs on their fairytale run.
Leverkusen seemed in control early when Jonathan Tah tapped in a 17th-minute opener, but the lead lasted just three minutes before Marius Wörl curled in an equalizer after a defensive blunder.
The real shocker came in first-half stoppage time when Maximilian Großer smashed home a Louis Oppie free-kick to give Bielefeld an improbable lead. Despite dominating possession, Leverkusen struggled to create clear-cut chances, and their best opportunity to equalize saw Patrick Schick’s header crash against the post in the 81st minute.
With Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Eintracht Frankfurt already eliminated, this year’s German Cup remains wide open. Bielefeld will now face either RB Leipzig or Stuttgart in their first-ever final, with a potential Europa League spot on the line.
For Alonso, who had been unbeaten in his first 10 domestic cup matches, this stunning defeat marks a painful end to Leverkusen’s cup campaign and leaves fans wondering if their Bundesliga dominance might also be at risk.
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