Stuttgart reach DFB-Pokal final as Tiago Tomás nets 119th-minute winner against Freiburg
Stuttgart reached the DFB-Pokal final as Tiago Tomás scored a 119th-minute winner to beat Freiburg in extra time, setting a Berlin final with Bayern on May 23, 2026.
Stuttgart secured a dramatic place in the DFB-Pokal final after Tiago Tomás struck in the 119th minute to defeat Freiburg at the MHP Arena on Thursday night. The victory guarantees Stuttgart a return to the final in consecutive seasons and sets up a May 23, 2026 clash with Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
The match produced a tense, end-to-end contest that required extra time to be settled, with both sides creating decisive moments throughout the 120 minutes. Stuttgart’s late breakthrough came after a rollercoaster tie that featured an early Freiburg lead, a spirited hosts’ comeback and several crucial interventions from the goalkeepers.
Tomás’s late strike sends Stuttgart to Berlin
Tiago Tomás came off the bench to deliver the decisive moment, finishing a low pass in the 119th minute to spark wild celebration among the home supporters. The goal arrived after fellow substitute Badredine Bouanani threaded a precise pass into the box, allowing Tomás to apply a composed finish that proved too late for Freiburg to recover.
The timing of the strike underlined the fine margins of cup football and capped a night in which both teams had opportunities to win the tie earlier. For Stuttgart, the goal not only secured progression but also extended a rare run of consecutive cup finals in the club’s history.
Freiburg take early lead through Eggestein
Freiburg struck first when Maximilian Eggestein converted from close range following a corner that bounced around the penalty area. The goal arrived in the first half after the visitors had weathered pressure and manufactured a set-piece opportunity, giving them the lead against the run of Stuttgart’s early dominance.
That opener allowed Freiburg to sit slightly deeper and invite the hosts to chase the game, turning much of the first half into a probing battle for control in midfield. Eggestein’s finish was a reminder of Freiburg’s set-piece threat and his growing confidence in front of goal this season.
Stuttgart fightback sparked by Undav and El Khannouss
Stuttgart’s response was built on urgency and clever transitions, with Deniz Undav proving pivotal in the equalizing sequence. The former Freiburg striker latched onto a swift counter that began with Bilal El Khannouss, and his composed finish brought Stuttgart level to the relief of the MHP Arena crowd.
El Khannouss, who had momentarily felt unwell before extra time, provided an energetic cameo that unsettled Freiburg’s structure and helped create the decisive openings. Stuttgart’s bench impact underlined the tactical adjustments that allowed them to wrestle momentum back in the second half.
Extra-time drama and Tomás’s decisive moment
Extra time began with both teams probing for an opening but also conserving energy for the final phases, producing a handful of near-misses and strong goalkeeping moments. Lucas Höler had a quickfire strike ruled out for a push, while Florian Müller made several important saves for Freiburg, keeping the contest finely balanced into the closing minutes.
When Bouanani found Tomás with a perfectly weighted pass in the 119th minute, the contest tipped in Stuttgart’s favor. Tomás’s cheeky, low finish left little time for a response and illustrated the difference that a single moment of clinical execution can make in cup football.
Standout performers and tactical notes
Stuttgart’s victory owed as much to tactical discipline as to individual moments of quality, with manager Sebastian Hoeneß’s side showing resilience after falling behind. Deniz Undav’s work-rate and movement created space for others, while substitutes like El Khannouss and Tomás changed the tempo and added a cutting edge that had been missing earlier in the tie.
For Freiburg, players such as Eggestein and Matthias Ginter offered key contributions both on and off the ball, and Florian Müller’s late saves kept them in the contest until the final seconds. Freiburg’s approach mixed compact defending with quick transitions, but they ultimately lacked the final execution at decisive moments.
Road to Berlin and consequences for both clubs
Stuttgart’s win secures them a return to the DFB-Pokal final and a meeting with Bayern Munich at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on May 23, 2026, a fixture that promises a high-stakes end to the domestic cup campaign. The result adds a significant fixture to Stuttgart’s calendar as they balance league commitments and the psychological boost of another cup final appearance.
Freiburg exit the competition having produced a competitive display but now turn attention back to their league ambitions and an impending Europa League semi-final against Braga. Their season still contains important fixtures that will determine European qualification and the club’s trajectory in continental competition.
Stuttgart will carry confidence into the final after a gritty cup performance, while Freiburg will rue missed chances but maintain momentum for the challenges that remain. The DFB-Pokal final in Berlin now offers both sides a clear target and a chance to claim a major domestic honour at the end of the season.
