Johannesson double rescues Köln as Hamburg and Wolfsburg advance in DFB-Pokal

Köln overcomes early deficit in Würzburg

1. FC Köln avoided an opening-round elimination in the DFB-Pokal on Monday evening, securing a 2-1 victory over third-tier side Würzburger Kickers at the sold-out Akon Arena. The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute when David Abrangao headed home a cross from Tim Kraus before a crowd of 12,100 spectators. Play was briefly interrupted shortly after the opening goal as tennis balls thrown from the Köln supporter section landed on the pitch in protest against Monday fixtures in professional football. Kickers goalkeeper Rajkovacic and a compact home defense contained Köln attacker Said El Mala throughout the first half. The Bundesliga side equalized in the 62nd minute when Isak Bergmann Johannesson capitalized on a quick combination following a throw-in. Johannesson struck again in the 77th minute after receiving an assist from Linton Maina, sealing qualification to the second round for the fourth consecutive season under coach René Wagner.

Lemke sets scoring record in Hamburg victory

Hamburger SV secured progress to the second round with a 3-0 away win against third-division club SC Verl. The home team generated early opportunities through a 13th-minute distance shot from Mika Clausen and a 15th-minute effort from André Leipold that was stopped by HSV goalkeeper Sander Tangvik. Albert Grönbaek put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute and doubled the advantage shortly after the interval in the 46th minute. Sixteen-year-old Louis Lemke extended the lead to three in the 50th minute after previously providing an assist during the contest. At 16 years, 10 months, and 16 days, Lemke became the youngest competitive goalscorer in HSV history. The winger surpassed the previous club benchmark established in 1954 by Uwe Seeler, who scored in the cup against Trier at the age of 17 years, 9 months, and 10 days.

Wolfsburg survives shootout against Altglienicke

Relegated side VfL Wolfsburg avoided defeat against fourth-tier Regionalliga team VSG Altglienicke, eventually advancing on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time. Altglienicke, competing in the DFB-Pokal for only the second time in club history, held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 during regular time before Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold scored twice to force extra time. The Berlin-based underdogs moved ahead once more in the additional period, but Wahl leveled the match in the 119th minute with a late equalizer. In the ensuing penalty shootout, new Wolfsburg signing Reese missed his attempt, handing Altglienicke an opportunity to pull ahead. Two Altglienicke shooters subsequently failed to convert their spot-kicks, allowing Wolfsburg to progress after former St. Gallen player Alessio Besio converted his penalty.

Cup progression and season openers

The three Monday evening fixtures completed the opening round of the DFB-Pokal for the participating sides. Hamburger SV achieved victory in their first competitive fixture of the campaign without defender Miro Muheim in the lineup, while opponent SC Verl had already contested three third-tier league matches. Würzburg came close to equalizing in stoppage time against Köln when an effort struck the woodwork, but the lower-league side could not capitalize on four points gathered from their first two league games. Köln now turns attention toward their Bundesliga opener scheduled for Saturday against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Wolfsburg advances to the second-round draw alongside Köln and Hamburg despite conceding three goals to fourth-division opposition.