DFB Cup
As of: April 6, 2026 5:28 p.m
The VfL Wolfsburg footballers are back in the final of the DFB Cup after a year of absence. The Lower Saxons won their ticket on Easter Sunday with a 5:4 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0) win on penalties against Bundesliga bottom team Carl Zeiss Jena.
Goalkeeper Stina Johannes became the match winner. Jenas Felicia Sträßer could have put the lid on it after four penalties from her teammates and a missed shot from Wolfsburg’s Lineth Beerensteyn. But Johannes thwarted her plans – and then parried against Fiona Gaißer. Wolfsburg’s Smilla Vallotta then scored the decisive penalty and made her team celebrate.
“I suffered a lot. Now I’m just happy that we prevailed,” said VfL coach Stephan Lerch to the Sportschau and, with a view to Beerensteyn’s missed shot, added: “It’s not a given that it turns things around in a penalty shootout.”
Video:
Carl Zeiss Jena vs VfL Wolfsburg – the penalty shootout (10 min)
Will there be a “dream final” against Bayern?
The team said goodbye to the international break with a sense of achievement. After the bitter defeat in extra time in the Champions League three days ago in Lyon, the energy-sapping weeks for the record cup winner were clearly noticeable. After the victories in the Bundesliga – 3-1 at home and 2-0 in Jena – this time it was really hard work.
“It was important for us to take this final step. A final like this is always something special. But after eight games in four weeks we have to take a breather.”
VfL coach Stephan Lerch
The final in Cologne will take place on May 14th. There the Lower Saxony team will meet defending champions FC Bayern Munich, who won 4-0 (3-0) against SGS Essen on Easter Monday.
Video:
Carl Zeiss Jena vs VfL Wolfsburg – Analysis & Voices (6 Min)
Jena surprises with an offensive start
The Jena women had sought salvation in the offensive from the start. And the underdog actually managed to dominate the game. The Wolfsburg women seemed surprised and couldn’t really free themselves. VfL unexpectedly had a few counterattack opportunities, but they didn’t know what to do with them either.
Offside! Wolfsburg’s goal doesn’t count
As if out of nowhere, the “she-wolves” cheered – and only briefly. Janina Minge was offside in her supposed 1-0 header from a free kick (24′).
However, the campaign acted as a wake-up call for the guests. Shortly afterwards, Beerensteyn had his first chance out of the game, but Jasmin Janning parried the header in the near corner (28th). The goalkeeper was there again four minutes later against Vivien Endemann. Overall, however, too few came from Lerch’s protégés. Jena truly deserved the draw at the break.
The second half and extra time remained goalless
The game remained tough after the break. The hosts fought for their dream of the cup final. The game now had very few real chances. But suddenly Beerensteyn appeared free in front of Jena’s goal. After a cross to the far post, the Dutchwoman seemed totally surprised that the ball actually reached her. She couldn’t coordinate her legs anymore and put the ball past the goal (72′).
“We’re through, that’s all that matters.”
VfL attacker Svenja Huth
Otherwise it was a 0-0 of the worse kind. The Lucky Punch almost succeeded. But Joker Guro Bergsvand failed with her header from three meters to Janning (90th + 6th).
The Wolfsburg team had to go into extra time again. Nevertheless, they seemed fresher than Jena during the extra time. CZ coach Florian Kästner’s team limited itself to defending. Ella Peddemors tested Janning again, but she too was denied by the strong goalkeeper (111′). And even though Janning initially gave her team the advantage in the penalty shootout, Wolfsburg still celebrated in the end.
Video:
Carl Zeiss Jena vs VfL Wolfsburg – Re-Live (150 Min)
