The magic of the DFB-Pokal was on full display this Saturday, as the 2026-2027 edition kicked off with a whirlwind of goals, upsets, and memorable performances. From heavyweights flexing their muscles to underdogs producing cup fairy tales, fans across Germany were treated to a day that perfectly captured the essence of knockout football. Whether it was the breathtaking shootouts, emphatic routs, or historic firsts, every corner of the country buzzed with excitement as the nation's premier cup competition roared to life.
Match Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
 FC Energie Cottbus | 0 - 2 |  FC Augsburg |
 SV Wehen Wiesbaden | 0 - 4 |  Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
 1. Saarbrücken | 3 - 5 |  Hertha BSC |
 FC Erzgebirge Aue | 0 - 4 |  TSG 1899 Hoffenheim |
 FC Viktoria Köln 1904 | 5 - 6 |  1. Nürnberg |
| 0 - 3 |  SV Werder Bremen | |
 MSV Duisburg | 1 - 3 |  SV 07 Elversberg |
| 1 - 9 |  Hannover 96 | |
 Eintracht Trier | 0 - 6 |  RB Leipzig |
 SG Sonnenhof Großaspach | 5 - 2 |  Arminia Bielefeld |
 TSV 1860 München | 0 - 2 |  Holstein Kiel |
The standout thriller of the day unfolded at the Sportpark Höhenberg, where 1. FC Nürnberg edged out FC Viktoria Köln 1904 in a scarcely believable 6-5 epic. With both sides trading blows in a contest brimming with attacking intent, it was the visitors’ prolific trio—Mohamed Ali Zoma, Piet Scobel, and Julian Justvan—who ultimately made the difference, continuing their red-hot early-season form under Miroslav Klose. Not to be outdone in the goal-fest stakes, Hertha BSC survived a scare against 1. FC Saarbrücken, triumphing 5-3 in another high-octane encounter that left fans breathless and ensured Hertha’s safe passage to the next round.
Elsewhere, the DFB-Pokal’s reputation for upsets was burnished by SG Sonnenhof Großaspach, who stunned Arminia Bielefeld with a resounding 5-2 victory to claim their first-ever win at this stage of the competition. The newly-promoted 3. Liga side, inspired by a determined collective performance, sent their home fans into raptures and set the stage for what could become a memorable cup run. It was also a day to remember for Hannover 96, who emphatically bounced back from league woes with a 9-1 demolition of SV Hemelingen—a result that may just relieve some pressure on head coach Christian Titz while giving the squad a much-needed dose of confidence.
Several Bundesliga sides made statement entries into this season’s tournament. Bayer 04 Leverkusen underlined their cup credentials with a clinical 4-0 win over SV Wehen Wiesbaden, led by Patrick Schick’s opener and a vibrant display from new signing Ibrahim Maza. RB Leipzig matched that dominance, dispatching Eintracht Trier 6-0 as Brajan Gruda and Willi Orbán starred, while new boss Martin Demichelis enjoyed a perfect debut. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim also impressed, with Patrick Wimmer’s dazzling debut—two goals and an assist—propelling them to a comprehensive 4-0 success at FC Erzgebirge Aue. Meanwhile, SV Werder Bremen marked Niclas Füllkrug’s emotional return with a 3-0 victory over Lüneburger SK Hansa, as the striker netted his 50th goal for the club in an assured display.
On a day defined by attacking flair, the trend was clear: established clubs largely avoided banana skins, but the DFB-Pokal’s unpredictability was alive and well, thanks to the heroics of sides like SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. The surge in debut contributions—whether it was Wimmer for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim or Maza for Bayer 04 Leverkusen—also pointed to a season where new faces are poised to leave a lasting mark. For some, like Holstein Kiel, steady professionalism (a 2-0 win at TSV 1860 München) was the recipe to navigate tricky away ties, while SV 07 Elversberg’s 3-1 win at MSV Duisburg highlighted the opportunity the Pokal offers ambitious lower-league sides.
As the dust settles on an action-packed day, the DFB-Pokal has once again delivered on its promise of drama, dreams, and goals galore. With the competition’s next round already rich in intriguing subplots, fans can look forward to more giant-killings, breakout stars, and classic cup moments in the weeks ahead.