The magic of the DFB-Pokal was on full display this Sunday, as the 2026-2027 edition served up a feast of drama, upsets, and emphatic victories across Germany. From jaw-dropping scorelines to history-making moments in small villages, Round 1 offered a reminder of why knockout football remains one of the sport's great equalizers.
Match Results
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
 SSV Jeddeloh II | 5 - 2 |  1. Heidenheim 1846 |
 SpVgg Greuther Fürth 1903 | 1 - 2 |  VfL Bochum 1848 |
 Bahlinger SC | 0 - 4 |  1. Magdeburg |
 Eintracht Braunschweig | 2 - 4 |  1. Union Berlin |
 FC Carl Zeiss Jena | 1 - 2 |  SV Darmstadt 98 |
 SV Westfalia 1935 Rhynern | 0 - 6 |  SG Dynamo Dresden |
 TSV SCHOTT Mainz | 0 - 5 |  Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| 0 - 9 |  1. FSV Mainz 05 | |
 1. Phönix Lübeck | 2 - 4 |  SC Paderborn 07 |
 Rot-Weiss Essen | 2 - 0 |  FC St. Pauli 1910 |
 TSV Fortuna 95 Düsseldorf | 1 - 5 |  SC Freiburg |
The headline shock came courtesy of SSV Jeddeloh II, who stunned Bundesliga side 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 with a remarkable 5-2 victory. The lower-league hosts not only matched their more illustrious opponents but outclassed them, sending Heidenheim packing in one of the most memorable upsets in recent cup history. Similarly, Rot-Weiss Essen delighted their home fans with a 2-0 win over FC St. Pauli 1910, another result that underlines the DFB-Pokal’s reputation as fertile ground for surprises.
Elsewhere, it was a day for the big guns to flex their muscles. 1. FSV Mainz 05 delivered the most emphatic result of the round, dismantling VfB 1921 Krieschow 9-0. The match took on added significance due to Krieschow’s status as the smallest village ever to be represented in the competition, transforming their community into a footballing stage for one unforgettable afternoon. Borussia Mönchengladbach were also ruthless, dispatching TSV SCHOTT Mainz 5-0, with Japanese international Daiki Hashioka impressing at right-back and helping to secure a clean sheet for his new club.
In other standout performances, SG Dynamo Dresden swept aside SV Westfalia 1935 Rhynern 6-0, while SC Freiburg cruised past TSV Fortuna 95 Düsseldorf 5-1, even as speculation swirls around the future of star left-back Jordy Makengo. 1. FC Magdeburg and SC Paderborn 07 both recorded convincing away wins, further staking their claims as teams to watch in this season's tournament. Meanwhile, Bundesliga mainstays VfL Bochum 1848 and 1. FC Union Berlin navigated tricky first-round ties, advancing with victories over SpVgg Greuther Fürth 1903 and Eintracht Braunschweig respectively.
The trend of the day was clear: while favorites largely progressed with statement performances, the enduring romance of the DFB-Pokal was kept alive by spirited underdogs who refused to read the script. From the smallest villages to storied stadiums, the first round delivered a captivating blend of giant-killings and goal-fests, setting the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling cup campaign ahead.
As the dust settles on a dramatic opening day, dreams remain alive for some and are dashed for others. If today’s action is any indicator, the 2026-2027 DFB-Pokal promises plenty more twists, shocks, and stories to come.