An unconventional Deniz Undav toe-poke put Stuttgart on track for a 3-0 win at Holstein Kiel on Wednesday and the semi-finals of the German Cup.
With Stuttgart leading 1-0 and Kiel chasing an equaliser in the dying stages, Undav set up Chris Fuehrich’s final-minute goal to put the match out of reach.
Stuttgart added another in slapstick fashion when Atakan Karazor fell in the box and squeezed the ball over the line with his hip in stoppage time.
“The conditions were very, very difficult -- difficult pitch, difficult weather and an opponent who made us uncomfortable, but all that counts is we made it to the next round,” Fuehrich told ZDF.
“That was our objective, that’s what we prepared for.”
It is the third time in four seasons that Cup holders Stuttgart, winners on four occasions, have reached the semi-finals of the competition.
In subzero conditions in Germany’s frozen north, Kiel impressed against their heavily fancied opponents but were unable to make it count in a match with few clear chances for either side.
“We knew what awaited us with the cold. It was a hard game. The Kielers are used to the cold -- not us,” Undav said.
With 56 minutes gone, Angelo Stiller swung in a free-kick and Undav made space in a crowded box before getting his toe to the ball, which drifted over the defence and under the crossbar.
Kiel had a late chance to level things up when Aldin Jakupovic broke free with just Stuttgart goalkeeper Alex Nuebel to beat, but scuffed his shot wide.
Fuehrich and Karazor’s late goals added Stuttgart gloss to the victory.
Winners in 2025, Stuttgart join 2024 winners Bayer Leverkusen in the final four. Next week, 2022 and 2023 winners RB Leipzig travel to 20-time champions Bayern Munich, while Hertha Berlin host Freiburg.
The draw for the semi-finals will be held in Dortmund on February 22, with the final to take place at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on May 23.
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