Dortmund beat Hoffenheim in German Cup thriller

Borussia Dortmund 3 - Hoffenheim 2

(Subotic 19', Aubameyang 57', Kehl 107' - Volland 21', Firmino 28')

For Borussia Dortmund, their match against Hoffenheim represented a last chance at rescuing what has been a difficult season. And, BVB fans didn't have to wait long to start celebrating, after the home team scored in the 19th minute. But the goal came in unusual fashion, after defender Neven Subotic volleyed in a shot from a corner. BVB barely had time to exult, though, before Hoffenheim's Kevin Volland struck at the other end, also with a volley.

It was Subotic who became the villain though, just minutes later, when he failed to control the ball from a routine back pass. Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino was quick to pounce and charged through on goal. With a cool head, he looped the ball over Dortmund's keeper Mitch Langerak and suddenly the favorites were trailing 2-1.

After the half time break, Dortmund - fired on by a noisy home crowd - fought their way back into the game, while Hoffenheim started to lose their way. After a period of dominance, it was Dortmund's striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who got the crucial goal in the 57th minute, heading in from a cross from Erik Durm and levelling the score.

The game continued in typically entertaining German Cup fashion until the full time whistle, but without any further goals. In fact, it wasn't until Sebastian Kehl smashed in a long-range volley in the second period of extra time, that Dortmund fans could really celebrate again. The defender was mobbed by his teammates straight after the goal, who piled on top of him to celebrate.

It was the first goal the 35-year-old veteran had scored in Germany's premier knockout competition, the DFB Pokal, since the year 2000. Back then, he was playing for Freiburg.

"I have never scored a goal in the German Cup for Borussia Dortmund," Kehl told German broadcaster "Sky" after the game. "To do it in the twilight of my career is a really nice moment for me."

Wolfsburg 1 - Freiburg 0

(Rodriguez 72')

In the earlier quarterfinal between Wolfsburg and Freiburg, the team from south-west Germany started strongest. The guests' best chance came from the boot of Jonathan Schmid before the break, but his well-taken free kick was blocked off the line by Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio.

As the first half went on though, Wolfsburg started to improve. Chances for Bas Dost and Luis Gustavo were both blocked by Freiburg's Roman Bürki. The 24-year-old was at his best against Wolfsburg's Vierinha though, saving a brilliant long-range shot with his fingertips.

In the second half, the hosts continued to dominate: Good attacking moves from Andre Schürrle and Kevin de Bruyne both ended with shots going just wide of the goal. In the end it was a penalty that allowed Wolfsburg to finally open their account, after Daniel Caligiuri was brought down by a minor challenge in the box by Julian Schuster.

The Wolves' Ricardo Rodriguez then stepped up and converted from the spot, just squeezing in the ball past a diving Bürki. Freiburg had two further shots on goal before the final whistle, but couldn't convert either chance.

After the game, Freiburg coach Christian Streich was disappointed that a penalty was awarded in the first place.

"It's a shame that a game is decided by a penalty like that," he complained to "Sky" after the match. "That the team is punished like this, is crazy. But we just have to deal with it."