VfB Stuttgart has secured a place in the DFB-Pokal Final for the first time in over a decade, defeating RB Leipzig 3-1 at home in a thrilling semifinal encounter on Wednesday night. The Swabians, guided by head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, maintained their recent dominance over Leipzig with a third consecutive win against the “Red Bulls” and ended a six-game winless streak across all competitions.
This victory propels Stuttgart into their first German Cup final since the 2012/13 season, where they lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich. The three-time German Cup champions (winners in 1954, 1958, and 1997) will now prepare to face third-tier side Arminia Bielefeld — this season’s surprise package — in the final scheduled for May 24 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
OFICIAL:
El Stuttgart ELIMINA al RB Leipzig tras ganar 3-1 y clasifica a su primera final de Pokal en DOCE AÑOS.
No ganan desde 1997 (con Löw de entrenador).
Se enfrentarán al Arminia Bielefeld, de 3ª, en una de las finales más bonitas y raras de la historia de la Bundesliga. pic.twitter.com/zTkJefLZ7V
— Andrés Weiss (@andresweiss_) April 2, 2025
The match began brightly for the hosts, who set the pace early in front of a raucous home crowd. Stuttgart broke the deadlock in the 6th minute through midfield anchor Angelo Stiller. The 23-year-old German displayed impeccable technique, lashing a volley from the edge of the penalty area into the net following a corner routine. The early goal energized Stuttgart, but RB Leipzig gradually gained a foothold in possession as the half progressed. Despite creating several opportunities, the visitors were unable to beat Stuttgart’s goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, who produced a series of composed saves.
The second half elevated the intensity and drama, producing three more goals in quick succession. In the 57th minute, Stuttgart crafted a flowing team move that culminated with a composed finish by Nick Woltemade — the 22-year-old forward calmly slotted the ball into the far corner to double the home side’s lead. Leipzig responded swiftly: just five minutes later, Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško found the back of the net after a smart cutback from captain Willi Orban. It was Šeško’s 13th goal of the season across all competitions and offered renewed hope for Leipzig.
However, Stuttgart reasserted control and restored their two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute. Another corner caused problems for Leipzig’s defense, and the alert Jamie Leweling pounced inside the box to make it 3-1. The 23-year-old German winger, currently on loan from Union Berlin, capitalized on slack marking to net his fourth goal of the campaign. Leipzig fought valiantly in the final quarter-hour but were ultimately unable to find a way past Nübel again.
Here is a quick glance at the match statistics:
| Statistic | Stuttgart | RB Leipzig |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 1 |
| Possession (%) | 42% | 58% |
| Total Shots | 12 | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 5 |
| Corners | 5 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 10 | 13 |
With this commanding performance, Hoeness’ men continue to underline their resurgence this season. Stuttgart, who narrowly avoided relegation via a playoff last season, have grown into one of Germany’s most improved sides. Their dynamic and youthful attack — bolstered by players like Stiller, Woltemade, and Leweling — poses a significant threat to any defense.
In the final, Stuttgart will be heavy favorites against Arminia Bielefeld, who have defied all odds en route to the final. The last time a third-tier team played in the DFB-Pokal final was in 1993 when Hertha Berlin’s reserve side pulled off a similar miracle. Stuttgart will now look to add a fourth DFB-Pokal title to their collection — and the first in 27 years.
For football analysts and fans alike, May 24 promises a fascinating David vs. Goliath matchup that could go down in German football history.