Borussia Dortmund advanced into the third round of the DFB-Pokal Cup after ousting Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties. The sides played out a 1-1 draw in normal time before BVB prevailed 4-2 in the shootout after goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a vital save on Fares Chaibi's spot-kick.
Niko Kovac's side were dealt an early blow as Ansgar Knauff fired the Eagles in front only seven minutes into the kick-off. Latching onto Mario Gotze's layoff, the forward scampered up a few steps before smoothly smashing it past Kobel for 1-0.
That was an anxiety attack but WE MOVE! 😤🙌 pic.twitter.com/BfdhoPueku
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) October 28, 2025
Unable to claw their way back into the game after an uncharacteristically toothless display upfront, Dortmund trailed at the break, but came flying out of the blocks post the interval. Julian Brandt equalized just three minutes into the restart with a simple finish from close range.
Both sides huffed and puffed for a second goal, but it never came. The match headed into extra-time, where Frankfurt and Dortmund couldn't be separated again, and a penalty shootout beckoned. While the Yellow and Blacks converted four kicks from four, their hosts missed twice.
Ritsu Doan blazed his attempt into the stands, whereas Chaibi's penalty was saved by Kobel, sending Dortmund through. They will learn their next opponents in the German Cup on 2 November, when the draw will be made. Here are some talking points from the clash:
1) Dortmund struggled offensively in the first half
Having been on a free-scoring form this season, Dortmund were surprisingly toothless in the opening stanza. They had only three shots, none of which were on target.
Karim Adeyemi and Jobe Bellingham both made attempts, but neither threatened Michael Zetterer. There was a deflected attempt towards the end of the half, too, which also went off-target.
Unable to carve out Frankfurt from open play, Niko Kovac's side relied on set-pieces for chances but to little avail. Nothing seemed to break for them despite territorial dominance and set-piece volume.
2) Brandt's first goal of the season couldn't have come at a better time
Julian Brandt was on a dry spell so far this season, but finally managed to open his goalscoring account with a crucial equalizer last night.
Just three minutes into the second half, Brandt brought BVB level after tapping home a simple finish from Julian Ryerson's long-range cross.
The drought was over, and the midfielder was off the mark. And he couldn't have picked a better game to bag his first goal, as Dortmund really needed that, having come off a lackluster first half.
3) Gregor Kobel, the shootout hero for Dortmund
Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been an instrumental figure for the side this season. In 10 domestic games (league and cup), the Swiss international has kept six clean sheets.
Greg appreciation post. You deserve everything this world has to offer. pic.twitter.com/WADY1wkvkN
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) October 28, 2025
His interventions were going to be vital against a menacing team like Frankfurt, too, and Kobel didn't disappoint. Sure, he was beaten quite early on, but the BVB custodian regained his composure.
His best moment, though, came all the way in the shootouts. As Chaibi struck his penalty, Kobel dived the right way and palmed it away, winning the match for Dortmund.