VfB Stuttgart defeated SC Freiburg 2-1 after extra time to reach the DFB-Pokal final against Bayern Munich on May 23rd. This will be their fourth meeting this season, with Bayern previously winning all three encounters.
Key points
VfB Stuttgart won 2-1 against SC Freiburg in the DFB-Pokal semi-final
The final will be against Bayern Munich on May 23rd
This is the fourth meeting between Stuttgart and Bayern this season
Bayern previously won all three encounters
Tiago Tomás scored the decisive goal in the semi-final
23 April 2026, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart: Soccer: DFB Cup, VfB Stuttgart - SC Freiburg, semi-final, MHPArena, Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart) celebrates the goal with Ermedin Demirovic (r, VfB Stuttgart) to make it 1:1. IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)
23 April 2026, Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart: Soccer: DFB Cup, VfB Stuttgart - SC Freiburg, semi-final, MHPArena, Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart) celebrates the goal with Ermedin Demirovic (r, VfB Stuttgart) to make it 1:1. IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL German Football League and the DFB German Football Association, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequential images and/or video-like photo series. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)
VfB Stuttgart notched a 2-1 victory over SC Freiburg after extra time in the 119th minute to earn a spot against Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin on May 23rd at 2PM EDT.
Substitute Tiago Tomás scored to push *Die Schwaben* past SC Freiburg in what had been a grueling game. VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß and his team will face Bayern Munich for the fourth time this season in the finale. Back in August, Bayern Munich earned a 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, while *Die Schwaben* also dropped 5-0 and 4-2 decisions to the Bavarians in the Bundesliga this season.
As for the win over SC Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart received those aforementioned heroics from Tomás, but also saw Angelo Stiller turn in one of his best performances of the season. The former Bayern Munich academy product completed 87 of his 102 passes, while winning all five of his ground duels, registering eight ball recoveries, and blocking two shots.
In a heated contest, SC Freiburg got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Maximilian Eggestein in the 28th minute. VfB Stuttgart could not find a way to knot the game until the 70th minute when impressive 21-year-old attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss drove up the middle with pace before sliding a pass to his right to a streaking Deniz Undav (who else?), who perfectly placed a shot to the far corner that evaded the outstretched arm of SC Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Müller, who had a very strong game.
The game would remain in a stalemate until Tomás hit an impressive aerial, back-heel for the game winner. Now, the stage is set for what should be a fun night in Berlin.
*If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…*
