SC Freiburg advanced to the DFB-Pokal round of 16 after a dramatic 3-2 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on October 28, 2026, at the Europa-Park Stadion, sealed by Keisuke Goto’s stoppage-time winner in the 90.+2 minute.
Early Goals Set a Furious Pace in Freiburg
The second-round cup tie ignited immediately in front of 32,000 spectators on a crisp autumn evening. Freiburg captain Christian Günter launched a precise cross from the left flank, finding 1.95-meter striker Igor Matanovic, who headed home past Wolfsburg goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther in the 6th minute to open the scoring. Wolfsburg defender Cleiton failed to mark the towering forward tightly enough, gifting the hosts an early advantage.
Just two minutes later, Wellenreuther launched a long goal kick deep into the Freiburg half. Max Rosenfelder misjudged the flight of the ball under pressure, allowing Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai to race clear and fire a powerful low shot past debutant goalkeeper Florian Müller from 15 meters out to equalize.
Wolfsburg Capitalizes Before the Break
Freiburg dominated possession and pressed forward, but struggled to break down a compact Wolfsburg defensive block. Midfielder Irié ran the ball over the touchline near his own penalty area under no pressure, conceding an unnecessary corner kick. Muhammed Damar delivered the resulting set-piece directly onto the head of Shiogai, who nodded in completely unmarked from close range in the 43rd minute to give the visitors a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
Freiburg manager Julian Schuster walked toward the tunnel visibly frustrated after his side failed to turn territorial dominance into clear chances, while national team defender Philipp Treu was forced off injured in the 39th minute and replaced by Lukas Kübler.
Controversy and Pressure After the Restart
The second half brought immediate friction when referee Sören Storks initially pointed to the penalty spot for a handball. Following a video review, Storks overturned the decision, sparking fury among home supporters who chanted Fußballmafia, DFB
from the stands.
Freiburg continued to pile on the pressure. Günter put the ball in the net in the 59th minute, but the goal was correctly disallowed for a narrow offside against Matanovic. Confusion rippled through the stadium as the club’s goal anthem played anyway and the scoreboard briefly flashed 2-2. Matanovic missed two more headers as the Wolves struggled to mount any offensive relief.
Goto Secures Late Comeback Victory
The persistence paid off in the 75th minute when substitute Keisuke Goto rose at the near post to head home an equalizer from a Vincenzo Grifo corner kick.
As the match ticked toward extra time, Wolfsburg pushed forward and lost possession at the edge of the penalty area. Defender Philipp Lienhart launched a long ball over the top, catching the visiting defense out of position and Wellenreuther far off his line. Goto raced onto the pass and delicately lobbed the ball over the stranded goalkeeper into the empty net in the 90.+2 minute, sending Freiburg through to the round of 16.
