Kaiserslautern is also celebrating in the DFB Cup
Defending champions are through – the last fourth division team is out
Updated 10/29/2025 – 8:14 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
VfB Stuttgart has reached the round of 16 of the DFB Cup. The defending champions had no problems in Mainz. Kaiserslautern and Magdeburg are also celebrating.
The mission to defend the title is in full swing: VfB Stuttgart has overcome the next hurdle in the DFB Cup and is in the round of 16 of the competition. The Swabians eliminated Mainz 05 on Wednesday evening. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team won away 2-0 (1-0).
Meanwhile, 1. FC Kaiserslautern celebrated a 1-0 win (1-0) at Greuther Fürth. The last remaining fourth division team, FV Illertissen, had to admit defeat to second division bottom side 1. FC Magdeburg 0:3 (0:2) in front of their home crowd.
In front of 29,400 spectators, VfB took an early lead after a corner from Luca Jaquez (6th minute). With his header from close range, the Swiss was left completely alone by the Mainz team.
The Stuttgart team then controlled the game, but without much offensive drive. But the FSV was also missing that. From the 25th minute onwards, Mainz found their way into the game better, but they didn’t have any clear chances.
In stoppage time in the first half, they were able to thank their keeper Robin Zentner that VfB didn’t increase the score before the break. At the start of the second half, the Swabians almost managed a similar dream start as in the first half. A powerful shot from Deniz Undav just missed the Mainz goal (47′). The decision came around 25 minutes later when Karazor completed a counterattack to make it 2-0 (73′).
A total of 12,411 spectators saw the superior hosts in a hard-fought game that Skyttä steered in a successful direction for the guests early on. The ball came to the Finn in a detour after the Franks lost possession. Goalkeeper Silas Prurock was able to save against Skyttä on his professional debut, but the 20-year-old was powerless to make a follow-up shot from the summer signing who had arrived so well in Lautern (12′). Testrock saved the Fürth team from 0-2 (45th + 2) shortly before the break against Faride Alidou.
After the false start, the home team increased their offensive efforts more and more. But overall there was a lack of impact. The guests missed an early decision with their timid counterattacks. The lead was managed properly in a game with many warnings.
In the intense game, in which both Fürth’s coach Thomas Kleine and guest coach Torsten Lieberknecht were shown yellow cards early on, Fürth didn’t give up. Joker Aaron Keller wasted the chance to equalize in a promising position (81′). Curious: Omar Sillah, who came on as a substitute in the 90th minute, ran onto the pitch too early and was shown yellow for it. A little later there was a yellow-red for a foul (90+4).