Stuttgart reach DFB-Pokal final after Tiago Tomás 119th-minute backheel sinks Freiburg
Stuttgart reach DFB-Pokal final as Tiago Tomás’ dramatic 119th-minute backheel beats Freiburg 2-1 after extra time at the MHP Arena, sending Die Schwaben to Berlin.
Stuttgart reached the DFB-Pokal final with a last-gasp 2-1 extra-time victory over regional rivals Freiburg at the MHP Arena, sealing a return to the showpiece in Berlin. The decisive moment came in the 119th minute when substitute Tiago Tomás conjured an audacious backheel to break Freiburg hearts and send the home crowd into delirium. Stuttgart will now prepare to defend their cup crown when they meet Bayern Munich in the final on May 23, 2026.
Tiago Tomás late backheel sends Stuttgart to DFB-Pokal final
Tiago Tomás entered the match as a second-half substitute and produced the winning moment almost at the death, steering home a backheel finish that left Florian Müller with no chance. The strike completed a frenetic 120 minutes and confirmed Stuttgart will contest a second successive DFB-Pokal final. The timing and improvisation of the goal underlined Stuttgart’s belief to keep pushing until the very end and swung momentum emphatically in their favour.
The finish will be remembered not only for its technical boldness but for its context: a tied, end-to-end tie that had seen both sides create presentable chances and test each other’s resolve deeply. Stuttgart’s late heroics follow a season of mixed league results but consistent cup performances that have propelled them back to the big occasion in Berlin. For Freiburg the defeat is devastating, coming after a spirited performance that produced numerous clear openings.
Early intensity and Freiburg’s opener through Maximilian Eggestein
The match began with high tempo and edge, reflected in four yellow cards within the first 18 minutes as both sides jostled for control in midfield. Freiburg thought they should have had a penalty when Maximilian Eggestein broke through the box and appeared to be impeded, but the referee allowed play to continue. From the resulting sequence Freiburg took the lead when a set-piece routine saw Matthias Ginter head in a dangerous delivery and Eggestein arrive unmarked to flick the ball past Alexander Nübel with an instinctive finish.
That early strike gave Freiburg control of the game and forced Stuttgart into a more urgent chase for the equaliser. Julian Schuster’s side defended compactly and threatened on the break, demonstrating the sort of balance that has seen Freiburg progress in cup competitions in recent seasons. The opening period ended with Freiburg marginally ahead on the rhythm of the contest but by no means assured of a comfortable path to victory.
Stuttgart response and chances that tested Müller
Stuttgart grew into the contest as the first half wore on, creating three notably gilt-edged chances before the break but failing to convert them through Ermedin Demirović, Jamie Leweling and Deniz Undav. The host side’s attacking instincts were clear: quick transitions down the flanks, repeated crosses into the box and a willingness to shoot from distance to break a disciplined Freiburg defensive block. Those opportunities underlined Stuttgart’s intent and set the tone for a probing second half.
Their persistence paid off when a swift counter culminated in substitute Bilal El Khannouss finding Deniz Undav, who slotted home to level the score and revive Stuttgart’s momentum. An earlier moment had seen Angelo Stiller’s long-range strike disallowed for offside in the build-up, but the team’s forward play continued to create problems for Freiburg. Stuttgart’s energy in the final third ensured the game remained open and dramatic as both clubs sought decisive moments.
Extra time drama and refereeing decisions
Extra time began with an immediate flashpoint when Lucas Höler appeared to put Freiburg ahead from a quick free kick, only for the referee to rule the move invalid due to a foul in the build-up. That decision set the tone for a chaotic period of play in which clear chances continued to come and go for both sides. Chris Führich and Deniz Undav came within inches of turning the tie, with Führich’s one-on-one effort striking the frame of the goal and Undav seeing a close-range attempt cleared off the line.
Florian Müller kept Freiburg in the contest with a string of crucial saves, including a stop from Bilal El Khannouss that would otherwise have handed Stuttgart a lead. As fatigue began to tell and opportunities became scarcer in the second half of extra time, the decisive intervention arrived late and unexpected. Tiago Tomás’ backheel exploited a moment of seconds’ hesitation and delivered the result that had eluded both teams for 119 minutes.
Florian Müller salvages Freiburg with a world-class display
Despite the loss, Florian Müller produced a man-of-the-match performance that repeatedly denied Stuttgart and kept Freiburg in the tie until the final whistle. The goalkeeper was called into action throughout the second half and extra time, making several excellent saves and showing commanding presence in his area. Müller’s performance underlined why he has emerged as a reliable option between the posts for Freiburg and why the goalkeeper debate at the club remains a talking point.
His evening was ultimately overshadowed by the late winner, yet Müller’s display will nonetheless draw praise and attention from across the Bundesliga for the quality and consistency shown in knockout pressure. For Freiburg the saving grace lies in the manner of the defeat: a narrow margin decided by a single moment rather than a comprehensive dismantling, and the club can take comfort from the resilience and individual excellence on show.
Tactical changes, substitutions and individual impacts
Sebastian Hoeneß’s selection included a number of changes from the side beaten at Bayern Munich, with regular starters returned to the XI and tactical tweaks aimed at balancing attack and solidity. The introduction of Bilal El Khannouss and Tiago Tomás from the bench proved decisive, with both substitutes directly involved in the game’s most consequential moments. Stuttgart’s manager showed faith in game-changing options, and those choices were rewarded when Tomás produced the late finish.
Freiburg manager Julian Schuster kept faith with a largely settled lineup and relied on set-piece effectiveness and structured defending to try to contain Stuttgart’s threats. Players such as Matthias Ginter and Vincenzo Grifo were influential in their roles, while Maximilian Eggestein’s intelligent movement and instinctive finishing provided the opening goal. The tactical chess between the two benches exchanged blows across 120 minutes, but in the end marginal gains from the substitutes tilted the balance.
Impacts on personnel also extend beyond the match: Stuttgart’s cup run continues to highlight the depth of their squad, while Freiburg must weigh up how to preserve confidence after a narrow defeat that owed as much to a single moment as to overall performance. Both sides will assess fitness and fatigue ahead of the final weeks of the domestic season, with extra time exerting a physical toll on key contributors.
What the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin means for Stuttgart and Freiburg
Stuttgart’s victory secures them a place in the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin, where they will attempt to defend the trophy and become one of the few clubs to win back-to-back titles. The prospect of facing Bayern Munich in the final on May 23 offers a marquee showdown and a chance for Stuttgart to consolidate cup success under high-pressure conditions. For the club’s supporters and hierarchy, the trip to the Olympiastadion represents both a celebration and a stern test against German football’s dominant force.
For Freiburg, the defeat is a bitter ending to a brave cup campaign but also a platform on which to build, particularly given the standout performances displayed by multiple players. The narrow nature of the loss and the quality shown throughout the match suggest Freiburg remain a competitive force in knockout football and will likely target a strong finish to their league season. The goalkeeper conversation and several fine individual displays give the club positive threads to take into future selection and transfer discussions.
Stuttgart reach the DFB-Pokal final through a blend of persistence, timely substitutions and a moment of late inspiration, while Freiburg can take heart from a spirited showing that fell just short. The stage now shifts to Berlin, where a high-stakes final against Bayern Munich will decide whether Stuttgart can complete back-to-back cup triumphs and etch their name further into recent German cup history.
